University of Balamand

Computer Networks Laboratory

Fall 2018

Lab 7: Building an Ad-hoc wireless network

Compiled by Nayla Greige & Hanna Daoud

Edited by Dr Riad Saba

Objectives:
This lab allows students to understand the concept of ad hoc wireless
network in order to transfer some data without a router or Internet
connection. They will have to connect two computers wireless without
using network cable.

In addition, you will need:

- 2 computers
-
Part 1: Creating a simple network

To create a simple network, we have to start by assigning the following network info to each
computer's wireless adapter (you don’t need to configure gateway and DNS servers):

Computer A:

IP Address: 10.1.1.1 
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 
Gateway: 
DNS Servers:

Computer B:

IP Address: 10.1.1.2 
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 
Gateway: 
DNS Servers:

Note: If you have Internet Connection Sharing enabled on one of the computers, you can just set
the other computer to obtain an IP address automatically; later that computer will be able to
access Internet once the ad hoc wireless network is up..

Part 2: Configure ad hoc wireless settings

In order to connect two computers, you need to configure ad hoc wireless setting computer A so
that computer B can connect to it wireless, after that can proceed to share file or printer.

On Computer A:

1) Go to Start and click on Control Panel.

2) Proceed to click View network status and tasks in Control Panel window.

3) Network and Sharing Center window will appear, proceed to click on Set up a new connection
or network.

4) Set Up a Connection or Network window will appear, select Set up a wireless ad hoc

(computer-to-computer) network option and click Next.
5) You will see some explanation on this wireless ad hoc network. Please note that both
computers must be within 30 feet of each other in order to connect successfully! Click Next.
6) Here you need to fill up the details of this ad hoc network. Name your network, select security
type and set security key if needed. Click Save this network option too, so that can manage it
later. Click Next.

Note: Although you can choose No authentication (open), WEP and WPA2-Personal as security
type, but I advise you to use WPA2-Personal as this is the most secure security type.

7) A window will be shown to tell you that the ad hoc wireless network is in the creation process.
Finally this window will show you the created ad hoc wireless network with name and security
key info, and this info is needed for other computers to connect to this ad hoc network.
Note: You can always go back to Network and Sharing Center window, and click on manage
wireless networks option to further manage this ad hoc wireless network.

8) Let’s move to computer B, search for available ad hoc wireless network and connect to it.
9) Once the connection is established, you are prompted to select network location type and/or
homegroup on computer A. I will usually select Home network as network location type as the
other connected computer is trusted computer. It's ok if you do not want to create homegroup.

At this point, you should be able to connect two computers and ping the other connected
computer, finally proceed to share files if you like.