Wi-Life comment: this technology is intended for personal use or use in small groups, and, it can be said, speaking on this topic, we are somewhat deviating from the main direction of the resource. Nevertheless, Wi-Fi Direct may well become a common and convenient addition to corporate Wi-Fi network infrastructures, so we decided to cover this topic on our website.
The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct™ mark marks devices that support a new technology that allows devices to connect directly. This makes it possible to significantly simplify tasks such as printing documents, sharing documents, synchronizing and displaying information. Devices bearing this mark can communicate with each other directly and without the need to join a traditional WiFi-standard home or office network.
Mobile phones, cameras, printers, computers, gaming devices can now connect directly to transfer content (transfer) and share applications quickly and easily. Connecting devices certified as Wi-Fi Direct is very simple and is done at the touch of a button. In this case, only one device is required to support Wi-Fi Direct. Any other wireless equipment can be used to connect to it and then exchange data. All WiFi connections Direct protected with WPA2, which is the most modern technology ensuring the security of the radio channel in Wi-Fi (). Wi-Fi Direct allows devices to communicate directly with each other without an access point, and there is no need to look for an Internet connection.
In what cases is it usedWi- fidirect
Devices with Wi-Fi Direct can be used for all types of applications - share content (collaboration with information), synchronize data, communicate in in social networks, play games, listen to music or watch videos, etc., i.e. do all the same things you do with Wi-Fi devices today, only easier and without the need for an internet connection. Wi-Fi Direct certified devices can form connections with virtually any certified and standardized Wi-Fi device that your friends or acquaintances already have. You only need one WiFi Direct enabled device to form a group. Now networks based on the Wi-Fi standard are not just an access medium with the main task of accessing the Internet, but it ensures that you interact with your friends everywhere.
According to recent research, users around the world said they would like to use Wi-Fi Direct to chat, share photos, display photos from portable devices on a monitor or TV screen, use video chat, and play video games together outside the home, for example , in public transport.
How WiFi Direct works
It is important to reiterate that the use WiFi Direct possible without the presence of any network WiFi. All you need is at least two devices. You may see available devices and request to connect with them, or you may receive an invitation message to join from another Wi-Fi Direct device.
In this case, the search functions for devices and services are used. Wi-Fi Direct: Wi-Fi Direct Device Discovery and Service Discovery , which allow users to set available devices and services before establishing a connection. For example, if the user wants to print a document, he can find out which WiFi networks supports the printer.
A Wi-Fi Direct certified device can establish peer-to-peer connections such as P2P, and can also participate in infrastructure-like scenarios. WiFi Direct devices can join standard networks Wi Fi like regular Wi-Fi devices. WiFi Direct devices can form point-to-point (one-to-one or peer-to-peer) or point-to-multipoint (one-to-many) topologies. The last option is similar to the BSS model.
Devices can participate in the Group as certified for WiFi Direct , and just having the usual WiFi certification. However, only the device can form and maintain a group. WiFi Direct. Regular Wi-Fi devices can only be clients in this group.
When two or more Wi-Fi Direct certified devices establish a connection, they form WiFi Direct group using technology Wi-Fi Protected Setup (simplified setting secure connection in Wi-Fi ( approx. Wi- life. en) and state-of-the-art security mechanisms WiFi . For safe use Wi-Fi Protected Setup either press the corresponding buttons on both devices at the same time, or enter PIN -the code. After that, you can start doing whatever is necessary.
Р2Р technologies (Peer - to - Peer ) play an important role in cases where a fast connection is needed.
Let's look at some examples of using Wi-Fi Direct to provide additional features users:
A student in a hostel needs to print out the assignment before coming to the audiotorium. Her laptop is authorized to access the university's Wi-Fi network, but she is not authorized to connect and use her printer to the Wi-Fi network. In this typical situation, a student can print documents on the printer directly using Wi-Fi Direct and at the same time check email via the university's Wi-Fi network.
Friends have gathered for a party, film each other on the cameras of their smartphones and share photos with everyone.
-An employee of the company was on a business trip with his tablet or light netbook, and then upon arrival in a simple way syncs the files he created with his corporate laptop
In all these cases, Wi-Fi Direct will excellent technology making life easier.
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Wifi has become a novelty and turned everyone's heads, but science does not stop at this discovery. Everyone is used to connecting to the Internet without any interfering wires for the computer and not waiting for ages for the mobile Internet to download something to your phone. Now Wi-Fi is used for all this technology.
A small router that can distribute the Internet for several devices at the same time - these are the technologies of reality. This type access to the Internet has already become a habit of the entire planet and it is difficult to imagine your life without using it. When we come to visit someone, our first question will be what is the name of the point WiFi access and her password.
Wi-Fi Direct - a few words about technology
Now very actively gaining popularity wireless connection Wi-Fi Direct (also called Wi-fi Peer-to-Peer). Now it will be described in detail what kind of connection it is and how it should be enabled.
What is this novelty for?
It is necessary to exclude the router from the data transfer chain. This means that you can connect one device to another without using a router. If you have no idea what Wi-Fi Direct is, then you need to remember how files were transferred via Bluetooth. This novelty can be used on almost every new device. It is also possible to enable Wifi Direct on Windows 10. If you have a laptop, then this feature will become very convenient.
Wifi direct windows 10 - how to enable
If the adapter supports this technology, then you can enable wifi direct on windows 10 by going into the properties of the network connection.
- Suppose your printer has such a function, then on a computer that supports it, we are looking for a network and select the printer as the network. You need to connect with it by entering a password. After that, you can safely proceed to print information. This is the main goal of the technology, which will help you connect directly, without too much headache.
- You can also connect a TV and enjoy watching movies on big screen, while the router will not be used. This connection requires only a couple of factors: the presence of this function on both devices and on your PC, providing general access to his folders.
- You can connect not only two devices, but also create entire groups of devices. So, for example, the owner of a laptop can be connected to a group and use this unique technology distribute the Internet. There is nothing difficult to connect, you just need to press one button.
Many computer users confidently say that soon wifi will not be as popular as wifi direct. Its main advantage is the connection in places with problematic communications.
All over the world, people are less and less fond of cables and patch cords for connecting to a network, but the widespread and beloved Wi-Fi (in the usual implementation through WiFi access points or through a home router with WiFi) is not always the best way to connect devices.
After all, it's cool if you could effortlessly connect devices without the presence of Dots WiFi access next and the need to remember long passwords! This is exactly what Wi-Fi Direct technology promises to provide.
Wi-Fi Direct is a standardized technology?
This technology comes through the Wi-Fi Alliance, which is the global association responsible for certifying Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi Direct is Wi-Fi without the need for Internet access
The basic idea of Wi-Fi Direct is that simple tasks require simple connections. For example:
- if you want to print something from your laptop or smart phone via a wireless printer, or
- view photos together with someone else near you or
- send video (transfer) from smartphone to TV.
None of these tasks require Internet access, but you must be able to connect to a printer or mobile device another person, or with a TV. With the use of Wi-Fi direct, the solution of such problems becomes very simple.
Wi-Fi Direct can also work through a device with Internet access
If you have a Wi-Fi router with Internet access, you can also connect to it via Wi-Fi Direct.
Wi-Fi Direct does not require an access point
Devices with Wi-Fi Direct can connect to each other without the mediation of a WiFi Hotspot. This is where an ad-hoc peer-to-peer connection is established when and where required. There is an opportunity to see what devices are available and choose which one you want to establish a connection with. Sounds very similar to Bluetooth methods, but it's really very close.
Wi-Fi Direct uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup
Usually you do not want Vasya or Petya to be able to join your equipment. For example, you wouldn't want to see your neighbors displaying something on your TV... To prevent this, Wi-Fi Direct uses Wi-Fi Protected Setup and WPA2 to prevent unauthorized connections and keep your communications secure. Transfer of information (transfer) is carried out over an encrypted channel. There are two methods for establishing connections:
1. By pressing physical buttons on devices
(press the Wi-Fi Direct button on device-1 and then press the same button on device-2)
2. By using special PIN codes
(a common practice is when one device generates a one-time PIN and it must be entered on another device, approx. site).
Wi-Fi Direct knows what's nearby
Wi-Fi Direct includes two convenient features:
1. Search for devices that support Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi Direct Device Discovery),
2. Service search (Wi-Fi Direct Service Discovery).
If these functions are present, then your device will know what devices are nearby and what types of services they offer. For example,
- if you try to show a photo, you will only see devices that can display photos,
- if you want to print something, you will only see devices that can print or are themselves attached to printers.
The important thing is that this information can be available even before you set up a connection, so you don't have to waste time trying to access devices that don't support the services you need.
Wi-Fi Direct uses the same chips
WiFi-standard solution manufacturers do not need to add an additional radio module
to existing devices. The main idea is to get Wi-Fi Direct functionality as part of standard Wi-Fi radio. There is a technological backward compatibility so you don't have to throw away your existing points WiFi access.
Wi-Fi Direct is part of DLNA and is present on the Android platform
In November, the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) announced that it had included Wi-Fi Direct in its interoperability testing procedures. Google has added Wi-Fi Direct support to Android (Android 4.0 ICS OS), for example, Wi-Fi Direct support is available in samsung galaxy Nexus, in network options. (not in all Android updates 4.x, Wi-Fi Direct features are available, but at the time of publication, you can already find a large number of free apps for this on Google Play, so there is no problem to start using, approx. site) Representatives of the DLNA alliance say they expect a powerful wave of smartphones with support for certified DLNA technologies and Wi-Fi Direct by 2016.
The first information about WiFi Direct support in Android smartphones ( Google Android) date back to the end of 2010, when Samsung announced that the Samsung Galaxy S had WiFi Direct functionality. Nevertheless, according to our information, WiFi Direct became fully supported on Android starting only with version 4.0 (Android 4.0 / Ice Cream Sandwich). But even after upgrading to Ice Cream Sandwich or higher, in most cases a special client is required to be able to transfer files (transfer) from WiFi Direct.
Check out our via Wi-Fi Direct, briefly, simply and clearly.
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Wi-Fi Direct - you can build a home network directly, without a router
The new Wi-Fi Direct technology has replaced Bluetooth. In any case, this is what some users and equipment manufacturers claim. Devices that support Wi-Di can transmit data up to 200 m at a speed of 250 Mbps. And more high degree channel protection ensures the reliability of the network. At the same time, a router is not needed to build a wi-fi network. But the mass introduction of Wi-Fi Direct in Ukraine will not happen soon, since very few devices have Wi-Di chips.
What is Wi-Fi Direct, and what it is eaten with
Wi-Fi Direct is a data transfer standard that allows several gadgets to connect to a network at once without using a router or other network device. Moreover, human participation is also not mandatory - the devices find each other automatically. Actually, this is not even a standard, but only its certification. Currently, to connect wirelessly, for example, a smartphone and a laptop or two smartphones, it is necessary to have a router as an intermediate link. But when using Wi-Fi Direct, a router is no longer needed. In this case, you can easily connect several devices at the same time. In addition to standard phones, smartphones and laptops, digital photo frames, printers, scanners, video recorders, etc. are also connected to the network, the main thing is that the gadget has a built-in Wi-Fi Direct chip.
The history of the creation of home networks already knows several attempts to introduce similar services and protocols. For example, Ad-hoc mode first appeared during the early days of Wi-Fi, but never reached the expected popularity. In addition, there were UPnP and Bonjour protocols for discovering devices that could connect to the network - but they also proved to be unviable. In theory, Wi-Fi Direct technology is one of the most advanced among the existing ones, but how much it will be able to win over the consumer, we will know only after some time. The technology has the only working analogue - Apple uses its AirDrop technology to transfer files between devices via Wi-Fi. It only works for Apple- devices.
Many argue that the Wi-Fi Direct standard will soon replace the well-known Bluetooth, which is not very popular today. At WiFi there are indeed significant advantages that set it apart from Bluetooth. This is the data transfer rate, and a much greater transmission distance, and more reliable channel security. But with all this, the complete replacement of Bluetooth is unlikely to happen, since Wi-Fi Direct also has many significant drawbacks that so far do not allow this standard to conquer the consumer completely.
Data is transmitted via Wi-Fi Direct at a speed of 250 Mbps, but speeds are expected to increase in the near future. In principle, even 250 Mbps is enough for most home gadgets. The maximum network coverage is 200 m.
Features of Wi-Fi Direct
There are 3 types of Wi-Fi Direct chips: for the 2.4 GHz band (supporting 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11c ), for the 5 GHz band (supports 802.11 a and 802.11n ), as well as operating in both ranges simultaneously.
The technology has two useful features: Wi-Fi Direct Device Discovery and Service Discovery. They allow gadgets not only to find each other automatically and network without human intervention, but even learn about the capabilities provided by each device. So, for example, if you want to transfer an audio file from your smartphone, then in the list of devices for transfer you will be offered only those that are able to receive and use it: other smartphones, laptops, audio systems, etc. (and devices such as photo frames, printers, scanners, etc. will be automatically excluded from the list). Thus, the user does not need to scroll through the entire list of gadgets on the network and select the ones they need.
In a regular Wi-Fi network, the main device is an access point, which controls all other gadgets. Online WiFi there is also a coordinator, but this role passes from one device to another, depending on the autonomy, power, functionality of the “stray”. In general, gadgets are preferred in this order: laptops, smartphones / tablets, handheld consoles, and then there are peripheral devices such as printers, digital cameras, audio systems, etc.
Wi-Fi Direct has a lot of disadvantages
The Wi-Fi Direct standard, like any other network technology, has a number of significant drawbacks that put its development and popularization into question.
The main disadvantages of Wi-Fi Direct:
- air clutter . When organizing a regular Wi-Fi network, all devices connect to one access point, but Wi-Fi Direct creates several separate networks, the participants of which (these can be both people and gadgets, for example, a printer, digital photo frame, etc.) communicate with each other and transmit data. As a result, in one multi-storey building there can be several tens and even hundreds of networks, which creates a real mess on the air, because different "stray" broadcasts at different frequencies and with different power. All networks created with WiFi assistance Direct, impossible to control, and they clutter the air;
- insufficient network security . Although manufacturers of Wi-Fi Direct devices shout that this connection is much more secure than, for example, Bluetooth, but in reality this standard creates a lot of headaches, since it is nowhere near as secure. While the gadget with Wi-Fi Direct is used only in home network, it is not dangerous either for its owner or for others. But when its owner comes to work in the office, and the device automatically finds and connects with other employee gadgets, company data is no longer safe. A Wi-Fi Direct network can be used as a proxy to get the data of any device on the network, including corporate information. No corporate administrator will be able to control all networks created via Wi-Fi Direct, which means that enterprises will gradually begin to prohibit this standard. As a result, it may become popular only for home networks or even remain at the level at which Ad-Hoc technology is today (and it was also once predicted to be popular and successful);
- significant energy intensity . On the one hand, this is good, because you can transfer large amounts of information at high speeds. But on the other side, modern smartphones and the tablets sit down so quickly that the additional load in Wi-Fi Direct can become not a utility, but a burden. After all, with the included WiFi Some gadgets will need to be charged every few hours. Whereas Bluetooth requires much less power. Therefore, Wi-Fi Direct is unlikely to completely supplant and replace Bluetooth;
- Wi-Fi Direct extended range , which is considered to be its great advantage, is in fact not always so positive. So, your network can be broken from a greater distance, wedged into it and used against you. In addition, the networks themselves will interfere with each other, and in apartment buildings where many residents have the opportunity to use Wi-Di, your phone, smartphone or laptop will catch more other people's networks due to the wide coverage;
- Wi-Fi Direct requires a separate chip , simple wifi chip does not fit. Therefore, you will have to purchase a more modern device that has built-in Wi-Fi and Wi-Di chips. Already today, a number of gadgets are produced with both chips, but there are not so many of them yet. And not every user will be satisfied with the purchase of a new smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.
As you can see, there are quite a few shortcomings. But despite all this, certification Wi-Fi standard Direct can become useful feature in modern communication devices and a good alternative to Bluetooth. For home networks, Wi-Di is extremely convenient, because the user has the ability to connect all devices available at home to a single network.
The main disadvantage of mass introduction WiFi in that to support it, devices must have a separate chip, which is different from the Wi-Fi chip. And since only a few manufacturers already include support for WiFi , then many users will have to buy new phones, laptops, etc. if they want to use this new technology. Perhaps this is good for the manufacturer, but an ordinary Ukrainian is unlikely to rush to the store and spend several thousand hryvnias just to be able to connect home devices to the network without a router. Wi-Fi Direct is more likely to become a pleasant bonus when buying a gadget than an end in itself. Therefore, it is possible to popularize this technology in Ukraine only for 2-3 years, no less. To date Wi-Fi usage Direct is limited to data transfer (photo, audio, etc.) between Android smartphones, peripheral devices do not yet support this standard.
Most likely, you use Wi-Fi every day at home or in a cafe, this technology is used by many people, or Bluetooth (sometimes just a necessary type of connection for a couple of devices). But what if you take the best of them and combine them? It turns out that this is implemented in Wi-Fi Direct. This article will explain what Wi-fi Direct is and how this technology works.
From Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi Direct
Most likely, everyone already knows what Wi-Fi is, if not technical aspects, then at a subconscious level for sure. This technology wireless communication has a wide range of applications, but the most used is Internet access.
Everyday use of Wi-Fi consists of connecting to a router to access the Internet. The router is physical device, which creates an access point, the existence of which can be verified in your smartphone or computer in the list of available connections. When connecting to the network, you need to enter a password and everything is ready, access to the network has been received.
From the history of Wi-Fi Direct
Wireless data transmission of nearby devices, without the use of third-party equipment, is not a novelty for a long time. One of the first and widespread solutions was the introduction of Bluetooth, which appeared in 1998. Bluetooth is wireless standard links to connect peripherals to a computer ( wireless mice and keyboard), or phone (headset). Such devices do not require fast data transfer. Bluetooth is not a high-speed communication technology by today's standards, and there are connection problems too. Read what Bluetooth is and how it works.
The difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is that this connection has a high speed and more simple setup. It is precisely because of such Wi-Fi qualities Wi-Fi Direct is a technology for fast and wireless communication and file transfer between different devices.
The first major company to use Wi-Fi Direct was Intel. new standard was introduced by them in 2008 in the Centrino 2 platform. Two years later, in October 2010, major players in the network industry market: Marvell, Atheros, Broadcom, Ralink and Realtek, began to release their products. It is possible that your computer has wifi adapter one of these manufacturers.
Google's Android OS product received direct support for Wi-Fi Direct from version 4.0, and Xbox one in 2013. The Windows family has supported the standard since Windows 8 on PC.
Wi-Fi Direct, how does it work?
The main idea in the development of Wi-Fi Direct was the ease of setup, the possibility of its support by all types of devices at a data transfer rate equal to the usual Wi-Fi.
It works quite simply: one device is detected by another, in exactly the same way as it was detected wireless network, connects, and the devices are paired. There is no need to adjust visibility, use long numbers, or put up with f issues. Another advantage is the need to support Wi-Fi Direct only one of the connected devices.
When connecting two devices using Wi-Fi Direct, one of them creates an access point, like a router, and the other device connects to it. Features depend on the connected device: you can print to a wireless printer, the photo frame can receive and use photos, send files from your computer to your phone, or play music and movies on your TV. Often Android device used for distribution mobile internet other devices, just connect to a Wi-Fi network at the same time and it will not work, because the device is already used as an access point. A positive feature of Wi-Fi Direct is the absence of passwords, the connection is encrypted by WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
Now you know what Wi-Fi Direct is, and thanks to its easy installation, long range and high data rate, Wi-Fi Direct has an advantage over Bluetooth in wireless transmission data. Perhaps in the future, Wi-Fi Direct will be able to replace Bluetooth, because it simultaneously eliminates both the extra standard and hardware inside the device. This technology is newer, and replacing one standard with another can take quite a long time.