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Ad-Hoc vs. Soft AP ?

Anonymous
2011-07-29T15:50:20+00:00

What is the best way to WIRELESSLY extend a network by using a host computer that is wirelessly connected to a remote AP (b/g, 54 Mbps max.) and has two wireless cards (only one of them is capable of reaching the AP with a strong, solid signal, but both possess ICS capability via Soft AP)? (Obviating the option of purchasing/using different equipment). The host computer would serve as a wireless AP for one other computer and/or a smartphone (at most).

Currently, I am using internet connection sharing (ICS) on my external ALFA (b/g) USB wireless adapter and sharing it with my internal wireless Atheros card that is hosting a wireless ad-hoc network (secured with WEP). And, that works pretty well and has been pretty reliable. Thus, I don't have a "real" need to use the Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter (Soft AP) feature in  my Windows 7 computer, but considering the above, I just wanted some feedback.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation and ambiguity surrounding the Virtual adapter, although I have used it with limited success. The only reasoning that I might choose one way over the other is that it seems pretty logical to keep the adapters doing what they do best, that is, performing one function at a time. Plus, I get a 54 Mbps connection straight away to my smartphone, while the external speed varies some (11-54 Mbps.)

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-29T18:37:35+00:00

    What is the best way to WIRELESSLY extend a network by using a host computer that is wirelessly connected to a remote AP (b/g, 54 Mbps max.) and has two wireless cards (only one of them is capable of reaching the AP with a strong, solid signal, but both possess ICS capability via Soft AP)? (Obviating the option of purchasing/using different equipment). The host computer would serve as a wireless AP for one other computer and/or a smart phone (at most).

    Currently, I am using internet connection sharing (ICS) on my external ALFA (b/g) USB wireless adapter and sharing it with my internal wireless Atheros card that is hosting a wireless ad-hoc network (secured with WEP). And, that works pretty well and has been pretty reliable. Thus, I don't have a "real" need to use the Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter (Soft AP) feature in  my Windows 7 computer, but considering the above, I just wanted some feedback.

    There seems to be a lot of misinformation and ambiguity surrounding the Virtual adapter, although I have used it with limited success. The only reasoning that I might choose one way over the other is that it seems pretty logical to keep the adapters doing what they do best, that is, performing one function at a time. Plus, I get a 54 Mbps connection straight away to my smartphone, while the external speed varies some (11-54 Mbps.)

    If your ALFA wireless adapter can see your wireless router I am surprised your "one other computer and/or smartphone" can't also see the wireless router?

    With that said, why mess with success? If what you have running works I would just keep that setup. I would not say one method, ie. ICS and adhoc versus the SoftAP, is any better than the other except for the fact the SoftAP connection is protected by WPA2-PSK (AES), aka WPA2-Personal, by default. WEP is terribly insecure and easily hacked.

    Update...

    FWIW I just found this from MSFT concerning ICS and ad hoc. You won't have these issues using the SoftAP, ie. hosted network functionality.

    • An ad hoc network is automatically deleted after all users disconnect from the network or when the person who set up the network disconnects and goes out of range of the other users of the network, unless you choose to make it a permanent network when you create it.
    • If you share your Internet connection, Internet connection sharing (ICS) will be disabled if you disconnect from the ad hoc network, you create a new ad hoc network without disconnecting from the old ad hoc network for which you enabled ICS, or you log off and then log back on (without disconnecting from the ad hoc network).

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-29T23:32:56+00:00

    Thanks, your reply pretty well validated my thinking.

    Why can't they see the router? The router is a public router and open network at a marina. The other computer and phone can barely connect and frequently drop if they do. This ALFA AWUS036H is great. I've gone from an 48 percent to 88 percent signal out of the box (windows reporting via netsh wlan command).

    I am not terribly concerned with security. This is pretty upscale place and most folks are partying instead of working. That said, I still have my firewalls in place.

    I ALSO found those caveats regarding ad hoc networks when researching the subject. However, I have not had either issue with my setup and I have been disconnected at times. Interesting...huh? When I was using the Soft AP approach, I was actually having much more trouble such as my phone would not connect sometimes. The Soft AP would broadcast the SSID, but it wouldn't respond.

    The next step is to get SIPDroid working because the cell reception sucks too. Thanks again!

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