A laptop (as an Internet access point) can be fully configured using certain programs and Wi-Fi. But before we learn about all the details of the settings, let's talk in more detail what an access point is. This is the place where the electronic node connects to the Internet. For mobile and portable electronic devices, a Wi-Fi online access point has been invented that works wirelessly.
Wireless wifi
To connect to the Internet using wires, it takes a lot of time, money and effort. In this case, the Internet connection is via cables laid in the ground, under the floor, through walls, etc. A stationary computer should be installed next to this connection point. His movement around the room or office is impossible.
With the advent of Wi-Fi, all these inconveniences can be forgotten. Signals are now transmitted wirelessly through routers or routers using IEEE 802.11 radio frequency spectrum standards.
A router installed in a room is connected via cable to the Internet network. This electronic device is capable of emitting within a radius of one or two kilometers of Internet waves. All laptops, 3D mobile phones in this range and equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter can receive signals. Thus, this physical access point can provide access to the world wide web of ten or fifteen users at a time.
Virtual entry point
If you understand the principle of Wi-Fi, then you imagine that a laptop can be used as an access point. Making it or a computer equipped with a Wi-Fi receiver, a gateway with which several owners of wireless devices can use the Internet is quite simple.
The operating program must be Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7. And then the Wi-Fi adapter will be able to function in SoftAP mode. It will be a virtual access point. The console (command line) is launched by the administrator, that is, by you. Then you need to follow the instructions "netsh wlan set". The parameter "ssid" indicates the name of the point, and the "key" sets the password to gain access to the network. The operating system will execute the command and install the necessary driver. The list of adapters is updated and Virtual Wi-Fi (SoftAP) appears, which must be deleted. To do this, specify in the command "mode = disallow" - and omit all other parameters. The access point is started by specifying “netsh wlan start hostednetwork”. The next step is to replace the "start" parameter with "stop". SoftAP mode will start to function, and at the same time, the built-in DHCP server will start.
This is how we just created a wireless network in which the laptop plays the role of a router as an Internet access point. Going to the "Sharing" tab, enable the permission to share the network. Now in SoftAP mode we select the necessary VirtualBox Host-Onli Network adapter. For the “laptop as an access point” system to function successfully, you need to help it by installing the utility program.
Using a virtual access point
The most important thing: the purpose of such an organization of virtual access to the Internet is to quickly create a local network that operates without the use of wires. Moreover, a computer (or laptop), which is an access point, can simultaneously be part of any other wireless network.
Thus, it is very easy to create an Internet wave relay. The laptop should be installed at the point where Wi-Fi wireless range ends. SoftAP settings must be set to the same as the parent Wi-Fi entry point. So you can expand the network coverage with automatic reconnection of clients, if necessary, to a virtual relay and vice versa.
Such a wireless gateway to the Internet can be used to create network VPN protection. In this way, client traffic is pushed into a secure VPN tunnel that creates anonymity for the entire local network.