WiFi Direct - what is it? How to set up and how to use WiFi Direct?

Every year, there are more and more new technologies that are designed to improve and facilitate our lives. One of them is WiFi Direct. What this, it becomes clear, if we consider in more detail the technology itself and the principle of its operation. Devices that support this mode of communication are capable of transmitting data at high speeds - up to 250 megabits per second, and at a fairly large distance - up to 200 meters. And the reliability of the network is ensured by a higher degree of channel protection. To build a network on this basis in a router, there simply is no need.

Key Features

It is worth considering in more detail WiFi Direct. What is it? This is a new standard for information transfer, allowing several gadgets to connect to each other without using a router or other network device. A person in this process is not necessarily involved, since the devices are able to automatically determine each other. So far this is not even a standard, but certification. To date, the two devices can connect wirelessly only by using the router as an intermediate link. However, the router will no longer be required if you use WiFi Direct. What is it, and how does this method work, here it is considered.

This method allows you to connect several gadgets at the same time. In addition to devices such as standard laptops, smartphones and telephones, digital photo frames, scanners, printers, video recorders and so on can be connected to the network, and here the main condition is the availability of a corresponding chip.

As it was before?

Home networks have already been subjected to the introduction of similar services and protocols several times. Among the existing at the moment, WiFi Direct is considered the most promising development, which has only one obstacle to development - the reaction of consumers.

Some people believe that this standard will soon completely replace the well-known Bluetooth, which is quite popular at the moment. So, if we consider WiFi Direct, what is it, it becomes clear after determining the advantages of this solution in comparison with traditional Bluetooth. Here you can talk about higher data transfer speed, increased distance, as well as reliable channel security. However, there are disadvantages, which are quite significant.

Characteristics

It is worth considering the WiFi Direct chips. How to use this technology will become clear after. Elements can be one of two types: for a 2.4 GHz band, 5 gigahertz and simultaneously supporting both of these values.

The technology has a couple of useful features: Device Discovery and Service Discovery. With their help, gadgets do not just find each other and unite in the network without any human involvement, but also let you know about the capabilities of each device. For example, if you need to transfer an audio file from a smartphone to somewhere, then in the list of receiving devices there will be only those that are able to receive and use this type of data, and all the others will simply be excluded from it. This allows the user not to scroll through the entire list in search of a suitable gadget, but only to select the one that is displayed.

Difference from other types

A typical WiFi network assumes the supremacy of an access point that monitors all other devices. The WiDi network also has a coordinator, but this function is transferred from one device to another, depending on capacity, autonomy, and functionality. So, the list of preferences looks like this: laptops, tablets, smartphones, consoles, and after them go peripheral devices, for example, printers, audio systems, digital cameras and others.

disadvantages

So, now you understand what WiFi Direct is; How to use it - is no longer a question. It is necessary to understand its shortcomings. They put the development of technology and its popularity in doubt.

Main disadvantages

• Cluttering the ether. When the wireless network is organized in the usual way, all devices are connected to the same access point. In this sense, we can talk about the great difference between WiFi Direct. How to set up such a network? Quite simply. Here you can talk about the simultaneous creation and operation of several networks in which gadgets communicate with each other, transferring data. This leads to the fact that, for example, several dozen or hundreds of networks will work in a multi-storey building, creating a real mess in the air, since they all broadcast with different powers and frequencies. Such networks can not be controlled, which is why they create a real clutter of the air.
• Poor network security. While the manufacturers of WiFi Direct Android devices speak about the better protection of such networks in comparison with Bluetooth, in fact, everything is different. While this gadget is used exclusively in the home network, you can talk about its security, but it's worth to come with him to the office of the company, where he will find other devices and connect with them, there is a problem. The WiFi Direct network for Windows can be used as a proxy, through which data will be received from any of the devices on the network, and even corporate information. It will be difficult for any specialist to control all the networks created by such a device, which will gradually lead to the ban of this standard in enterprises. As a result, it can remain popular only for home use, or even disappear.
• High energy intensity. On the one hand, it can transfer large amounts of data over long distances and at high speeds. However, modern gadgets are so quickly discharged that such an additional load can well become a burden.
• The increased range of such a technology is not always an advantage. Your network can be hacked from a distance, it can be wedged in and used against you.
• Using WiFi Direct involves the use of a special chip , because a simple WiFi is not suitable for this purpose. At the moment there are gadgets that are equipped with both chips, but they are not very many.

conclusions

The main disadvantage of implementing such a technology is that its support is provided by a separate chip, which differs from the traditional WiFi. And since at the moment there are not so many manufacturers include such modules in their devices, users will not want to purchase new gadgets for using this technology.