entranceVirtual Wi Fi. Free Virtual Router for distribution Wi-Fi from any computer
Currently, wireless networks are becoming increasingly distributed: they work at train stations, and at airports, and in enterprises, and many users and at home. In Windows 7, such an option appeared as "Virtual WiFi" (Virtual WiFi) - a software layer that creates several virtual adapters from the wireless network card installed in the computer. But first - a little theory.
Wireless networks can operate in two modes:
Devices are connected directly to each other. It turns out a simple network (AD-HOC Mode). This mode is called Point-to-Point. This mode is used quite rarely and, mostly, to exchange data in the case when there is no possibility to use an access point.
Devices are connected via the access point (Access Point-AP).
This mode is called Infrastructure (Infrastructure Mode) and, as a rule, applies together with a wireless router connected to the Internet.
It should be noted that the simultaneous use of two wireless network modes on one physical wireless adapter is not provided for by the concept of WiFi, and here it is to the aid, the expanding capabilities of the adapter technologies applied in Windows 7 came to the rescue.
What is the technology of Virtual WiFi
Without going into technical details: in Windows 7, one physical wireless adapter can be turned into several virtual, and - attention! - Each of these virtual adapters can be configured to connect to different wireless networks.
What is it for
Hmm ... The question is, of course, interesting.
Example The first: Radio signal from the available access point does not cover the desired distance between it and wireless devices. In this case, a computer or laptop with Virtual WiFi can act as a repeater (repeater) that extends the wireless coverage area.
Example Second: Creation of a personal network (Wireless Personal Area Network), to which you can quickly connect the phone, camera, printer, laptop or any other device with a wireless adapter for easy information.
Example Three: Available Wireless Network - with static IP addresses of devices, but sometimes you need to quickly connect new devices, and without any rearrangement settings (this can be done if the mode of allocation of dynamic IP addresses was turned on. But alas) .
As implemented by Virtual WiFi in Windows 7
By the way: Virtual WiFi technology is enabled not only in Windows 7, but also in Windows 2008 R2.
Virtual WiFi is implemented in the operating system at the kernel level and allows a very simple implementation of the software access point (SoftAP), and only one is required from the wireless adapters manufacturers - to implement SOFTAP support in their drivers (many, by the way, it has already done).
So far - in the current implementation, Virtual WiFi has the following limitations: it is allowed to create only one virtual adapter operating only in the access point mode and only with WPA2-PSK / AES encryption.
By the way, the technology of Virtual WiFi allows you to connect to 100 clients against 8 clients against 8 clients in Intel Promotable MY WiFi technology.
Installing, enabled and configure Virtual WiFi
Testing Virtual WiFi - Installing, Enable and configuring a wireless network - was performed on a netbook ASUS EEEPC 1000H with a built-in WiFi RALINK adapter.
So, you will first have a little "fold" - call the command prompt with administrator rights and enter the following command:
netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork Mode \u003d ALLOW SSID \u003d "MS Virtual WiFi" Key \u003d "Softodrom" keyusage \u003d persistent
"MS Virtual WiFi" here is the name (SSID) of the virtual network created, and the "Softodrom" is a password to access the network. Of course, both of these parameters can be changed at its own discretion.
The last parameter - keyusage \u003d persistent - determines that the password will be saved and it does not have to specify each time you need to start the virtual network.
After executing this command, the system will detect new equipment, and a new network adapter called the "Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter" adapter will appear in the device manager (Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter).
In the form of refinement: Naturally, the virtual adapter appears in the device manager only if the driver installed in your wireless adapter has support for Virtual WiFi technology.
For easy reliability, look into the control panel -\u003e Network and Shared Access Control Panel -\u003e Changing the Adapter Parameters:
As we see, a new connection "Wireless Network 2" with the status "No connection" appeared here (it is already in the picture. About this below).
Go to the network launch. In the command prompt running with administrator rights, perform the following command:
netsh Wlan Start HostedNetwork
After that, a) Network will start (Microsoft called its "posted network") and b) earn the access program point, which can be seen by going to the control panel -\u003e Network Management Center and shared access.
As we see, the computer is connected simultaneously to several wireless networks, and now other wireless devices can be connected to our newly created access point.
To provide Internet access to other wireless devices that will connect to our software access point, go to the Control Panel tab -\u003e Network Management Center and Common Access -\u003e Changing the Adapter Settings and in the properties of the adapter through which the computer is in our case EEEPC netbook - gets access to the Internet (we have a WiFi connection, but it can be any of the available - Ethernet, WiMAX, 3G, etc.) in the "Access" tab to put a checkbox "Allow other network users use the Internet connection This computer. "
In addition, in "Connecting a home network" you need to specify which network adapter - in our case, this "wireless network connection 2" - the Internet should be provided.
Finally, about the client. From the client, several wireless networks will be seen, and when connected to a organized access point (we have previously assigned to it SSID \u003d MS Virtual WiFi), the client will automatically receive an IP address from the internal DHCP server, will access the Internet and will be separated from external Network Address Translation.
As customers in the test, a laptop and a mobile phone with WiFi support were used; In both cases, Internet access via the WiFi virtual network did not cause any difficulty.
Simplify WiFi virtual network management
Despite the obvious advantages of Virtual WiFi, use the command line to configure and run the network of Windows users who are accustomed to pressing the buttons, not to say that it is convenient and familiar, especially since running the network every time after rebooting the computer, as well as its exit from sleeping or waiting for the regime.
The built-in graphical interface for Virtual WiFi in the operating system, alas, no, but to help, as always in such cases, third-party developers have come, who released graphic shells to Virtual WiFi - Connectify and Virtual Router Manager. We recommend using the first (Connectify), since its developer is constantly working on its improvement and regularly releases new versions, and the development of Virtual Router Manager is still at the beta stage, and the last beta version is dated 2009.
The principle of using both utilities is very simple: in the appropriate fields, you need to specify the SSID network and password to access the START button, after which the program will be loaded along with the start of the operating system, ensuring the launch of the virtual network. In addition, both utilities, and Connectify, and Virtual Router Manager, show current connections to the virtual network.
Commands for managing the posted network
Finally, for connoisseurs of the command line - new commands for managing the posted network, which appeared in Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2:
netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork Allowed / Disallowed - Allow or disable network use
netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork Persistent / Temporary - Setting the network parameters where SSID is an SSID network identifier; Key - used network security key (password); Keyusage - Indicates, is the security key constant or temporary
netsh WLAN Show Settings - Displays the properties of the network and its condition
netsh Wlan Show HostedNetwork Settings \u003d Security - Displays the security settings of the posted network, including shows the password specified in Key when setting up Netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork
netsh WLAN Start HostedNetwork - run the posted network
netsh WLAN Stop HostedNetwork - Stop the posted network.
Virtual Router Manager is designed to help if you do not have a real Wi-Fi router, and it is necessary to distribute it. Her main task is the imitation of the Wi-Fi router, so you can forget about any wires and inconveniences. The program is reliable and licensed, there are no viruses in it, and you can download Virtual Router Manager. The program is compatible with the Microsoft Windows XP, Seven and higher operating system.
What devices are the program compatible?
The key condition for the correct operation of the program is the presence of Wi-Fi on the distributing and receiving devices. As receiving devices can be: iPhone, iPod Touch, netbooks, laptops, audio devices, wireless multifunctional devices, smartphones, phones with Android or Zune and others. The distributing device (usually this is a computer) to which the program is installed, must have a Wi-Fi adapter.Where to download Virtual Router?
You can download Virtual Router Manager on the official website or torrents. Pay attention that the file should be only with the extension ".exe" or ".msi". To configure the program will be able to anyone, not even reading the instruction. Use the program is even easier than installing.How to get started with Virtual Router Manager?
To distribute WiFi on Windows, you will need to perform the simplest manipulations:- correctly specify the name of your network;
- enter password;
- press the "Start" button.
Password introduction is necessary for the safety of transmitted data so that another person cannot unauthorized to connect to your virtual distribution. All devices that you connect via Virtual WiFi will be displayed in the program window. In case of needing, it is possible to find out even IP and MAC addresses of each device, looking at them in the program window.
Working with the program
In essence, Virtual Router Manager, the Russian version is a shell, that is, it is capable of performing all the settings for you. To access WiFi, it is enough to run the program and roll after it in the tray. With such actions, each time including a computer, it will automatically start.
Setting up the program
Setup is reduced to filling or selection in 4 lines:- to create a WiFi network, you need to come up with any name in the top field;
- in the next field, we invent a password consisting of a minimum of 8 characters;
- in the drop-down menu "Shared Connection", select the connection through which the computer connects to the Internet;
- in the lowest hovering menu, select the desired type of connection.
How to choose the type of connection?
In order to correctly create a WiFi network, you need to select the desired type of connection - this is important! There are two modes: Acess Point or Ad Hoc.- Ad hoc. This mode is performed by the point-to-point connection. Translated to a simple language - only one device is possible to connect to the virtual router.
- Acess Point. This mode will allow you to connect to the "Access Point" (distributing Wi-Fi Device) a large number of host devices. Possible problems and their elimination
It is now difficult to imagine how you can do without using wireless networks. The opening of wireless network technology has made a significant contribution to the industry and changed the use of a personal computer. Virtual Wi-Fi is a software layer that abstracts the wireless network card and creates several virtual adapters. What can this technology be useful for?
For its existence wireless network (Wireless Local Area Network-WLAN), have experienced many changes that affected, safety, range and speed, but the basic principles of work remained unchanged.
Wireless networks can operate in two modes: when two or more devices are connected directly to each other - point-point, or when they are connected via the access point (Access Point-AP). In the first case, they talk about a simple network (AD-HOC MODE). Using this mode of operation is rare enough and is used mainly to exchange data when there is no ability to use the access point. The second mode, with the use of an access point, is called Infrastructure (Infrastructure Mode) and in most cases used in conjunction with a wireless router that is connected to the intnet. But using both two modes of operation on one physical wireless adapter, is not provided by the Wi-Fi concept itself.
In search of new ways to use wireless networks, a concept of virtualization was proposed, which removes certain restrictions with the use of such networks and thereby expands their capabilities. This approach to the use of wireless adapters was implemented by several companies with the relevant technology names. In Intel, this is Intel My WiFi, and in Microsoft is Virtual WiFi.
Virtual Wi-Fi is a software layer that abstracts the wireless network card and creates several virtual adapters. Each virtual adapter can be separately configured to connect to different wireless networks, but all of them will use the resources of only one physical wireless adapter.
What can come in handy, this technology? For example, a personal network creation (Wireless Personal Area Network - WPAN) in which you can quickly connect the PDA, telephone, printer, camera, laptop and other device with a wireless adapter for easy information sharing; Use a laptop as hot spot (hotspot) to provide Internet access to wireless devices using an Internet connection on a laptop, although Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3G or WiMAX. Another example may be when the radio signal is not fairly stable or does not cover the desired distance between, access point and wireless devices. In this case, a computer or laptop with Virtual Wi-Fi technology can act as a repeater, thereby implancing the radio coating wireless network.
In Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2, Virtual WiFi technology has been included in the system and implemented at the kernel level, in addition, work has been done on the simple implementation of the Software Access Point - Softap, while manufacturers of wireless devices, Now you only need to implement SOFTAP support in your drivers. In this regard, in the current implementation of Virtual WiFi B and Windows 2008 R2, it is possible to create only one virtual adapter, which will only work in the access point mode, while providing WPA2-PSK-AES encryption.
By the way, the support of Virtual WiFi in the drivers is a must-see for certifying wireless adapters for compatibility with Windows 7.
Virtual WiFi is indicated as Wireless Hosted Network, in Russian designation as a posted network. In connection with the introduction of Virtual WiFi to new Microsoft operating systems, new commands were included in Network Shell, to control the distributed network. Here are some of them:
- netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork Allowed / Disallowed - Allow or disable network use.
- netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork<идентификатор_SSID> <парольная_фраза> Persistent / Temporary - setting up network settings, where SSID is an SSID network identifier; Key- user security key used by the network; Keyusage indicates the safety key constant or temporary
- netsh WLAN Show Settings - Shows the network property and its condition.
- netsh WLAN Show HostedNetwork Settings \u003d Security - Displays the security settings of the posted network. (Shows, including the password specified in Key when setting up Netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork)
- netsh WLAN Start HostedNetWork - Run the network placement.
- netsh WLAN Stop HostedNetwork - Stop network placement.
As it looks like the configuration of Virtual Wi-Fi in practice: we will need a laptop or a regular personal computer with wireless devices, and the driver supports Virtual WiFi.
If the above criteria are performed above, call the command line, with administrator rights and carry out the following command in it:
netsh WLAN Set HostedNetwork MODE \u003d ALLOW SSID \u003d "MS Virtual Wi-Fi" Key \u003d "Pass for Virtual WiFi" Keyusage \u003d Persistent
In this example, "MS Virtual Wi-Fi" is the name of the wireless network, "Pass for Virtual WiFi" - Papol to access this network. You can specify these values \u200b\u200bat your discretion.
After executing this command, the system will find a new equipment and a new network adapter will appear in the device manager, and more precisely, the virtual is the mini-port adapter of the Virtual WiFi Microsoft (Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter). But again, this virtual adapter will appear only in such cases if we have a wireless adapter driver supports Virtual WiFi.
Going to the Control Panel - the network management center and shared access - changing the adapter parameters, see the new Wireless Network Connection 2 connection, which will show the status - no connection. Therefore, the next step will be the launch of the network. To do this, it is necessary on the command, running with the administrator rights, execute the command:
netsh Wlan Start HostedNetwork.
After that, the network will start and earn an access program (SoftAP). In this, you can make sure to crossing the control panel - the network management center and shared access. Since we use the Internet connection to Wi-Fi, we found that Windows 7 is connected simultaneously to several wireless networks. Now other wireless devices can be connected to our access point.
If we want to provide access to Internet to other wireless devices that are connected to our software access point, that is, to organize hot spot (hotspot), then you need to go to the masonry control panel - the network management center and shared access - change the adapter parameters and connection properties which is connected to the Internet (in our case it is a Wi-Fi connection, but it can be any: Ethernet, 3G, WiMAX, etc.). On the Access tab, put a check mark Allow other users to use Internet connection of this computer, and to connect the home network to specify which network adapter to provide (split) Internet, in our case, it will be Wireless Network Connection 2, which refers to virtual wireless adapter.
From the client side, you can see several wireless networks, and when connected to our organized access point, the client will automatically receive an IP address from the internal DHCP server and will be separated from the NETWORK Address Translation).
Ease of use of Virtual Wi-Fi is obvious, but here to use the command line to configure and run the network (and you need to start the network network each time after rebooting the computer with administrator rights), not quite convenient. Yes, and the built-in graphic shell to configure Virtual WiFi, unfortunately, no. Therefore, it is not surprisingly the appearance of third-party utilities, which performed the function, of this shell itself. Now there are several such utilities - this is Connectify and Virtual Router Manager. Their setting comes down to a minimum - you need to specify an SSID and password to access. They are loaded along with the system and immediately ensure the inclusion of a distributed network and know how to display all connections to our distributed network.
Connectify.
Hello Admin, I have a laptop at home and local Internet is connected to it."Beeline" Also, children have another laptop, a tablet and a smartphone, the question is, if I can deal with a Wi-Fi Internet laptop, that is, to use a laptop as a router, which, as you understand, I do not?
In the global network there is a description of working with the program Virtual Router Plus, everything is done as it is written, but the laptop does not distribute Wi-Fi, or I did not understand something or in the article, something important is missed.
How to distribute Wi-Fi Internet with a laptop or how to use Virtual Router Plus and Connectify Hotspot 2015
Hi friends! Even in the absence of a router, it is possible to create a Virtual Wi-Fi network using a regular laptop, because we live with you, after all, in the wireless era.
Create a Wi-Fi network on a laptop is very easy to use a special program. There are two very good free utilities capable of helping us in this matter: Virtual Router Plus. and Connectify Hotspot 2015., but if know one nuance, then you will not succeed, I will tell you about him.
First of all, we connect our laptop to the Internet with a cable. I also do not have a router and I connect the laptop to the Internet using Beeline Provider.
In network connections, both network adapters must be included: Ethernet adapter and adapter wireless network.
Now we take for our programs.
Virtual Router Plus.
Cool programmool working without installation, you can download on my Yandex.Disk.
Remove the folder with the program from the archive and run the executable file virtualrouterplus.exe.
Configure the program, fill all the fields.
Network Name (SSID) - We come up with a name for your wireless network, for example, I will call Renontcompa.ru.
Password. - A password for a wireless network, there must be at least 8 characters and in English, but invent such a password so as not to forget.
Shared Connection - Select the name of the connection to the laptop locally on the laptop list, in my case Beeline Internet, because I do not have a router. In your case, if the laptop is connected using the LAN cable to the router, it may be just an Ethernet (connection over the local network).
That's all the settings, click on the button START VIRTUAL ROUTER PLUS.
Virtual Router Plus is running and running,
but another setting remained. We go to the folder Network and Shared Access Control Center.
Change adapter settings
Opened folder Network connections. ABOUT breasts appeared Connection over LAN 15 (in your case can be called differently) the program itself createsVirtual Router Plus.
Here are friends, most importantly, do not miss anything!
1. Note, in my folder network connections, there is an icon Beeline InternetThis means that I do not have a router and the Internet cable (WAN) of the Beeline provider from the corridor is directly connected to the laptop. In your case, there may be an icon of another provider.
2. But if you have a router, then there will be no provider icon, but will be just an icon LAN connection or Ethernet.
In short, if You have a router, click the right mouse on the icon"Connection on the LAN" or "Ethernet" and choose properties.
If you do not have a router, click the right mouse on the icon of your provider (in my case) "beeline internet" and also chooseProperties
We go to the tab Access. Connecting the home network: click on the arrow and choose Local Maintenance Connection * 15 (In your case, the name may be different).
We celebrate the checkboxAllow other user users use the Internet connection of this computer. and click OK.
Now our laptop is distributing the Internet and to connect to it (both to the router), you just need only on another laptop to click on the left mouse on the network icon
Choose our wireless network (for example, I called renontcompa.ru) and click to connect
Connected.
Open the browser and we are on the Internet
So, with a laptop, we distributed Wi-Fi Internet and connected another laptop to the resulting wireless network.
For example, connect to our virtual network yet tablet
Settings
Wireless Wireless Wireless Networks
Choose our website website
Enter the password and click to connect
Connected
Open the browser and go online
I want to say that with a router of course everything will be more abruptly and faster, but in some cases the ability to use this program can be useful.
Imagine such a situation: you have a laptop or a computer running Windows 10 with an Internet access (cable or via USB modem), and in addition there is a tablet, smartphone, TV, etc., which would also be well Connect to the Internet, of course, if there is a Wi-Fi router, it would not be difficult, but what to do, when there are a lot of devices, there is no router, but I want it to the Internet.
There is a way out, you can configure the distribution of the Internet via Wi-Fi directly from a laptop or from a stationary PC (provided that there is a discrete or external Wi-Fi adapter in it) - i.e. Create a virtual access point (Hot Spot), turning, in fact, your computer into a Wi-Fi router.
All this, of course, can be implemented using the staff of Windows (), but for most people it will not be easy to understand all the subtleties of such a setting, so it would be much more convenient for distributing the Internet by Wi-Fi to use the free Switch Virtual Router program to help Each PC user is easy to create and run a virtual access point.
Setting up the program
- Download the program for a direct link;
- Installation is not required, it is enough to extract files from the archive (for example, using an archiver or);
- Run the virtualrouterplus.exe;
- Fill in the Network Name field (SSID) - the name can be invented anyone in our example "AlpineFile";
- Password - set a password, a combination of letters (latice) and numbers, but, by itself, such a password, as we have "12345678" better not to enter, come up with something more complicated;
- The program is launched and works, but it is not all;
- In the left side of the window, click "Change the parameters of the adapter";
- In the window that opens, select the main wireless connection, click on it right-click, then "Properties";
- Open the "Access" tab, check the box opposite the item: "Allow other users to use the connection of this computer", then select "Connecting on a local network * 3" to "Connecting a home network" (created by the Virtual Router Plus program, you may differ ). The order of the above-described actions is presented in the screenshot;
- That's all, now we can distribute the Internet through Wi-Fi and without a router.
Possible problems when setting up
If you did everything according to the instructions, the program works correctly, as evidenced by such an icon in the field of notifications,
but there are no connections, then, with a lot of probability, it can be argued that the connection is blocked by the firewall installed in the anti-virus program system (Dr.Web, for example, this is exactly the case). Therefore, do not forget if necessary, add the created Internet connection to exclude your anti-virus software.