The article talks about what programs exist for distributing WiFi from a laptop, how they are arranged, and their pros and cons.
Digital age
Probably, digital technology is the industry in the modern world that is developing most rapidly. Some 15 years ago, far from everyone could boast of even ordinary home computers, as well as high-speed unlimited access to the network, not to mention smartphones and tablets. Well, now you won’t surprise anyone, every year such technologies are improved, acquire new opportunities and become more accessible to people. The Internet plays a huge role in all of this, now it is not only a means for self-learning, communication and entertainment, but also an integral part of the work of many organizations. And just most people no longer think of existence without it. And every year it becomes more accessible.
According to experts, in a couple of years there will come a moment when the volume of transmitted traffic using wireless technologies exceeds the share of transmitted by wire. The reason for this is the widespread popularity of portable devices and convenience. Computers are already entangled in many wires, and wireless routers partially eliminate them. However, it is not always possible to purchase and install a router, or it is not economically feasible when only one or two devices are needed in wireless Internet and this need is rare. In this case, special programs for distributing WiFi from a laptop may come to the rescue . We will talk about what it is and how they work.
Distribution
Despite the seemingly impossibility and even absurdity of such a method, it is real. One of its first implementations appeared in early 2010, since the release of the Windows 7 operating system. It is implemented quite simply. A special program puts the WiFi adapter of a computer or other device into the Internet distribution mode, and you can connect to it, as in an ordinary router. This is how programs for distributing WiFi from a laptop work. Naturally, for their normal operation, the laptop must have access to the Internet in order to distribute it as a router. But even if he himself is connected to WiFi, he can still provide other devices with communications.
Software
In fairness, it is worth noting that some operating systems, for example, Windows 7 and Linux, have a similar function by default and without any third-party software. In Windows, this mode is turned on in the Network and Sharing Center, it sets the name of the new network, its parameters, encryption type, password, and more. But still, a special program for distributing the Internet from a laptop via WiFi can do this much better, since the network she created is more stable and has more functions.
In Linux, the inclusion of this mode is made in a simpler and more intuitive way, roughly speaking, with just one button in the communication settings. But since Linux is still little used as a home system and is the leader in this Windows, we will consider software specifically for it.
On the Internet you can find different programs for distributing WiFi from a laptop, by and large they differ only in interfaces and some minor functions, for example, the ability to block certain pages, filter devices by mac address, etc. But the most popular are Switch Virtual Router, MyPublicWiFi and Connectify. Of these, we will examine the latter in more detail, since it is the easiest to configure, intuitive and stable.
WiFi distribution from a Windows 7 laptop
You can find this program on the official website, it is distributed both on a free and a paid basis. The paid version has a wider range of functions, but they do not play a decisive role, and you can use it with complete comfort and free.
During installation, she installs the necessary drivers, and also creates a virtual WiFi adapter, which will distribute the Internet. Then the settings window will open where you will need to specify the name of the network, its encryption method, as well as the Internet source. For example, if a laptop receives it via cable, then this adapter must be specified. But in case of an error, the program will report that there is no access to the Internet in the specified source.
After all the settings, it remains only to connect to it from another device and use the Internet.
Pros and cons
Such a free program for distributing WiFi from a laptop has both advantages and disadvantages, let's start with the pros. The first and undoubted one is that this way of distributing the Internet eliminates the need to purchase a router. The second is its ease of setup and small size. And the third is that it consumes very little system resources.
The disadvantages include the small range of such a network, since the adapter built into the laptop does not have an antenna, like a router. Also, the connection, although infrequently, but sometimes it breaks off for no apparent reason, and the program will need to be restarted.
Conclusion
The program for distributing WiFi from a laptop in Russian can be an excellent alternative to a router, especially when you need to deploy a wireless network for a short or irregular time. But still, it cannot replace a full-fledged router with both a range and stability of connection. It is worth mentioning that such software will only work in the Windows 7 or Linux operating system.
Also, users have noticed that older versions of Connectify are more stable, oddly enough. Especially when working with an Internet connection via VPN.
So we looked at such a thing as a program for distributing Internet from a laptop via WiFi.