How to Set Up an Ad Hoc Peer to Peer Network

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Load the Ralink software (CD) and attach one Ralink USB adapter (hardware) into an open USB port on your computer.

   Make sure you select the ‘Ralink Configuration Tool’ when it appears as a selection.
   
   Reboot the computer.
   
   With the computer turned on, plug in one USB adapter (hardware) into an open USB port and follow ,, Right click on the ‘R’ icon displayed on the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and select ‘Launch Config Utility’ (If you don’t have the ‘R’ icon on your system tray for some reason, you can launch this utility by clicking the Start button, All Programs, then look for ‘Ralink Wireless’ on the list and then double click Ralink , First, give your new wireless network a name under ‘Profile Name’ (C) and then give it a SSID name (D).
   
   Next, click on the down arrow under ‘Network Type’ (E) and select ‘Ad hoc’.
   
   Finally, click on the ‘Channel’ menu (F) and select channel 8 (or 2 – just make sure both computers have the same channel number). , Now, click on the ‘Network’ button (I).
   
   NOTE:
   At this point in time you will NOT see your new wireless network listed here until you have configured both computers with the instructions above.
   
   What you may or may not see is a list of wireless connections coming from people in your neighborhood who also have some form of wireless connection up and running
   - including your own home wireless DSL Internet connection.
   
   Don’t touch or select any of these connections.
   
   This Ralink utility allows you to view other wireless connections that are running in your home and in the neighborhood. ,,, Under ‘Name’ find the following list of “services” and make sure each one is ‘Started’ and set to Automatic or Manual (to change settings double click on the Name):
   Network Connections (Started, Manual) DSN Client (Started, Automatic) Server (Start, Automatic) COM+ Event System (Started, Automatic) TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper (Started, Automatic) *Computer Browser (Started, Automatic) Workstation (Started, Automatic) SSDP Discovery (Started, Automatic) NOTE:
   Activate (Started, Automatic) ‘Workstation’ service BEFORE activating ‘Computer Browser) Remember, if you change any setting in ‘services.msc’ you have to reboot your computer.
2. 2

   Step 2: You must load the software (CD) BEFORE you plug in the USB adapter (hardware).

   Go to the ‘Network’ heading (I).
   
   You should see your new network listed on both computers.
   
   If you don’t see it, go back to ‘Profile’ (A), highlight your network and click ‘Activate’ (on each computer).
   
   Return to the ‘Network’ screen (I) and highlight your network name and click ‘Connect’ (again, do this on both computers).
   
   You should now see your network and its signal strength displayed as a colored bar graph.
3. 3

   Step 3: You must configure the USB adapter on each computer to operate in the ‘Ad-Hoc’ mode (see instructions below).

4. 4

   Step 4: Load the Ralink CD and select the USB Wireless 802.11g Driver from the menu list and follow the instructions on screen.

5. 5

   Step 5: the Windows ‘New Hardware Wizard’ instructions when it automatically pops up.

6. 6

   Step 6: Once the hardware and software setup is complete

7. 7

   Step 7: you have to configure the USB adapter to run in “Ad-Hoc” mode.

8. 8

   Step 8: To configure your USB adapter for Ad-Hoc operation

9. 9

   Step 9: select ‘Profile’ (A) and then click the ‘Add’ button(B).

10. 10

    Step 10: Hit OK. Next

11. 11

    Step 11: click and highlight your new profile name (G) and then hit the ‘Activate’ button (H) so it can be listed as a new network connection under ‘Network’(I).

12. 12

    Step 12: Once both computers are setup and configured with the instructions above

13. 13

    Step 13: please check the following system

14. 14

    Step 14: settings on each computer – it could save you from pulling your hair out in frustration:

15. 15

    Step 15: Go to Start

16. 16

    Step 16: and enter 'services.msc' and hit Ok.

17. 17

    Step 17: launch the Ralink Config Utility on both computers.

Detailed Guide

About the Author