What is wifi direct in a smartphone. Connecting your phone to your TV via wifi direct. Wi-Fi Direct technology: connection and configuration. How are things now? From the history of Wi-Fi Direct

The Internet has firmly entered our lives, and now you can configure it not only on a smartphone or personal computer, but also on related devices. Installing Wi-Fi Direct on your printer makes sense in many cases. You can create an access point when there is no router or access to the corporate Internet. This solves the problem of unnecessary wires and allows you to send documents directly for printing without wasting extra time.

Let's look at several ways.

Creating an access point

When using this method, the printer itself forms an Internet point. You can connect to it from a PC or phone. The method is possible when the device has a display.

You need to turn on the panel, open the Wi-Fi Setup settings, select Direct and “connect”. When the installation is complete, the password for the new access point that the program created will appear on the window.

Installation without display

To connect the Internet on devices that only have control buttons, you need to make changes to the router. Modern routers have a WPS function - on the back of the case there is a button of the same name that you need to press.

Let's move on to setting up the printer. You need to hold down the Wi-Fi button for a few seconds and wait until the status indicators start flashing. When they turn green, it means the device has connected successfully. Further settings are made on the PC.

Connection to a public network

If you do not need to install Direct, we recommend connecting to an existing network. This will also allow you to print from any devices connected to the same access point, eliminating the need to run wires.

Go to the settings on the printer display, select Wi-Fi (recommended) - Setup Wizard. In the panel, find your network, enter the password and connect. If the network is open, you will not need to enter anything. After the installation is successfully completed, a message about this will appear on the window, and you will be asked to print a report.

The setup on the PC is completed. You need to go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Add a Printer. The computer itself will find the device connected to the network and begin installing it.

Connecting Wi-Fi directly to the printer greatly simplifies the work and speeds up the process. Files for printing can be sent from any device connected to the Internet, even if you are in the next office.

Every year more and more new technologies appear that are designed to improve and make our lives easier. One of them is WiFi Direct. What this is will become clear if we take a closer look at the technology itself and the principle of its operation. Devices that support this method of communication are capable of transmitting data at high speeds - up to 250 megabits per second, and over a fairly long distance - up to 200 meters. And network reliability is ensured by a higher degree of channel protection. To build a network on such a basis, there is simply no need for a router.

Main Features

It's worth taking a closer look at WiFi Direct. What is this? This is a new standard for information transfer that allows several gadgets to connect to each other without using a router or other network device. It is not necessary for a person to participate in this process, since the devices can automatically detect each other. So far this is not even a standard, but a certification. Currently, two devices can only connect wirelessly using a router as an intermediate link. However, a router is no longer required if you use WiFi Direct. What it is and how this method works is discussed here.

This method allows you to connect several gadgets at the same time. In addition to devices such as standard laptops, smartphones and phones, you can connect digital photo frames, scanners, printers, video recorders, etc. to the network, and the main condition here is the presence of an appropriate chip.

How was it before?

Home networks have already undergone the introduction of similar services and protocols several times. Among those currently existing, WiFi Direct is considered the most promising development, which has only one obstacle to development - consumer reaction.

Some people have the opinion 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 it is will become clear after determining the advantages of such a solution in comparison with traditional Bluetooth. Here we can talk about a higher data transfer speed, increased distance, as well as reliable channel security. However, there are also disadvantages that are quite significant.

Features

WiFi Direct chips are worth considering. How to use this technology will become clear later. Elements can be one of two types: for the range of 2.4 gigahertz, 5 gigahertz and simultaneously supporting both of these values.

The technology has a couple of useful capabilities: Device Discovery and Service Discovery. With their help, gadgets not only find each other and unite into a network without any human intervention, but also allow you to learn about the capabilities of each device. For example, if you need to transfer an audio file from a smartphone somewhere, then the list of receiving devices will only include those that are capable of receiving and using this type of data, and all others will simply be excluded from it. This allows the user not to scroll through the entire list presented in search of a suitable gadget, but only to select the desired one from those that are displayed.

Difference from other types

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

Flaws

So now you understand what WiFi Direct is; how to use it is also no longer a question. It is worth understanding its shortcomings. They are the ones who question the development of technology and its popularity.

Main disadvantages

Air clutter. When a wireless network is organized in the usual way, all devices are connected to one access point. In this sense, we can talk about a big difference between WiFi Direct. How to set up such a network? Quite simple. Here we 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 operate in a multi-story building, creating a real mess on the air, since they all broadcast with different powers and frequencies. Such networks cannot be controlled, which is why they create real clutter on the airwaves.
Poor network security. Although manufacturers of WiFi Direct Android devices talk about the better security of such networks compared to Bluetooth, in reality everything is different. As long as such a gadget is used exclusively on a home network, we can talk about its security, but as soon as you bring it to the company’s office, where it begins to find other devices and connect with them, a problem already arises. The WiFi Direct network for Windows can be used as a proxy, with the help of 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 monitor all the networks created by such a device, which will gradually lead to a ban on this standard in enterprises. As a result, it may remain popular only for home use, or disappear altogether.
High energy intensity. On the one hand, it can be used to transmit large amounts of data over long distances and at high speeds. However, modern gadgets run out of charge so quickly that such an additional load may well become a burden.
Increased range of such technology is not always an advantage. Your network can be hacked from a long distance, it can be penetrated and used against you.
Using WiFi Direct requires the use of a special chip, since simple WiFi is not suitable for these purposes. At the moment, there are gadgets that are equipped with both chips, but there are not very many of them.

Conclusions

The main inconvenience of introducing such technology is that its support is provided by a separate chip that differs from traditional WiFi. And since not many manufacturers currently include such modules in their devices, users will not want to purchase new gadgets to use this technology.

Wi-Fi Direct, also called Peer-to-Peer, is a protocol stack of the upper seventh layer of the OSI model. In other words, a set of rules governing interaction with low-level program services with an interface facing the user. These standards are designed to direct connection of devices to each other, bypassing routing equipment, and allowing the establishment of complex decentralized structures.

Features of the technology and how it works

This technology uses familiar modules operating at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies within the framework of the common 802.11 a/b/g/n specifications. In essence, this is a refinement of the SoftAP mode. A software access point is created and, using the same WPS, others are connected to it.

The new standard supports the same speed as the regular one, that is, up to 250 MB/sec. Although at a lower speed, the throughput is more than sufficient for the most demanding content. The performance of the created P2P space depends on what equipment is used: 802.11 a, b or n and on the profile of its electromagnetic environment (other sources creating interference).

The range of Wi-Fi Direct is the same as that of a regular one - no more than 250 meters.

The number of participants in a group united by the new protocol cannot be as large as in a star topology. Multiple connections is provided only for some devices with this function, for example, smartphones. There are also those that can use only one channel.

Each gadget with this system automatically detects potential “interlocutors”. It sends information with a list of its own services and receives similar signals from neighboring ones, analyzing their content. To establish a connection between devices, just select the one you need from the list and press the button. All equipment connected using the P2P principle is ranked according to computing power. Control is often given to those that have greater productivity (laptops, mobile phones, game consoles). They have expanded administrative powers compared to digital cameras, printers, photo frames and other similar digital assistants. However, absolutely anything that works with P2P can initiate the creation of an appropriate environment. Moreover, devices with conventional modules can be added here.

Digital assistants, which are native to this new technology, can simultaneously reside both in their community and in the central infrastructure formed by the router. Multi-vectoring is optional and, for example, typical of laptops and smartphones.

Also, any member of Wi-Fi Direct is able to access the Internet by connecting to the host, while remaining in a secure domain common to all. Secure Domain is a zone protected by the WPA2 certification program that uses the router's access point to access the Internet and is managed separately from the rest of the intranet.

Another participant cannot see the list of its contacts without the permission of someone else's operating system. The amount of information that is publicly available depends on the application that users are running. This is how LAN games initially request permission to identify themselves and are given the right to search for similar inclusions. The same can be said for photo and image services.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Direct “communication” of all “smart” devices provides serious time savings. Obviously, sending something for printing directly from a tablet using Wi-Fi Direct technology is much easier than “throwing” it onto a Windows 7/8/10 computer and then sending it to a USB printer. Showing a photo or video from your phone using a large TV screen is more convenient if you send it directly to its destination. Various photo frames and projectors are becoming more interactive, the online component for games is diversifying, and access to the Internet is becoming more flexible.

To the disadvantages the following can be attributed:

air pollution. There are a lot of multidirectional “negotiations” in the “point-to-point” style, and the periphery is added to them, which creates a mess on the radio;
dubious security in places saturated with digital technology (offices, shopping centers, train stations and airports). The multiplicity of signals creates a complex topology in which each participant has dozens of connection options and the ability to use neighbors as proxies;
energy consumption. The signal power places great demands on the power supply. Autonomy is reduced;
availability special chip, allowing you to initiate the subsystem.

Ordered signal streams

Exists two main sets rules for local circulation of large volumes of data. These are DLNA and Miracast. However, the latter is the most appropriate in this case. For each of them, leading manufacturers have developed a lot of programs.

DLNA supports multimedia traffic: video, photo, music. To operate in wireless mode, a central switch with an access point is required. The server is a transmitting device on which a special program creates a server. The client simply displays the image on the screen. So software installed on a computer with DLNA uses a central switch to use the large TV screen.

Miracast can operate in point-to-point mode and, in addition to providing transport for typical audio and video files, can stream desktop images. The developers have provided functionality that ensures smooth playback of the video stream and the absence of desynchronization. Establishing contact and beginning the exchange of signals occurs in a couple of touches. The video signal is transmitted using the H.264 codec in Full HD. The sound is processed in AC3 format in 5.1 format. A separate advantage is that the standard is supported by all smartphones equipped with an operating system starting with Android 4.2.

How to enable Wi-Fi Direct

You can make sure that the function is present by going to wireless network settings on an Android phone. Usually the corresponding sub-item is displayed there. It is in the detailed menu of this subsection that you can find all possible connections, select the one you need and connect. Now file sharing directly will become active in Explorer.

WiFi Direct in Windows 10 is included in the network connection properties. We look for a device that supports this technology and connect to it.

While an expected step to simplify user operations with a variety of electronic devices, the technology remains crude. It certainly works, you can use it, and, in itself, it does not cause any complaints. But the lack of software and the small number of equipment with a specialized chip certainly delay its widespread distribution. Let's hope that the time when order will finally be restored in this area is not far off.

Wi-Fi Direct technology - what is it? This is a cutting-edge set of software protocols that allows you to transfer files without an Internet connection. Devices that support this certificate can connect to each other and send data over a distance of up to 200 meters. The transmission speed reaches high levels - up to 250 megabits per second. It is also worth noting that this network has high channel security. Wi-Fi Direct technology is very similar to the well-known Bluetooth standard, but it is superior to it in many ways.

This data transfer method greatly simplifies the work of users

Progress does not stand still, and today you have the opportunity to perform unimaginable operations that you could only dream of before: print files directly from your phone, watch videos from your tablet on the TV screen, send photos from your smartphone to your laptop, openly use data on your computer via TV. And all this without wires, waiting time and multi-step setup.

Features of wireless technology

This set of protocols is developed, certified and supported by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
After enabling this function on devices, they automatically detect each other.
To create a Direct network, you do not need a router. A router can be useful if you want to access the World Wide Web.
You can create a connection of gadgets “1 - 1” or “1 - many”. Paired devices include smartphones, laptops, computers, printers, keyboards, VCRs, routers, scanners, cameras, digital frames and other equipment.

Supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Android platforms.
Devices with a platform lower than Android 4.0 do not contain this function.
Only those devices that have a special chip will be able to join this function. Most equipment manufactured no earlier than 2015 contain this chip. Developers of global tech brands have announced that in 2016, all smartphones will be able to connect wirelessly and support DLNA.
The devices communicate with each other using a peer-to-peer “Ad-hoc” wireless connection.
After the first successful attempt to connect devices over the Direct network, this process can be repeated wherever and whenever convenient.

To prevent unauthorized intrusion into your network, the technology includes a Wi-Fi Protected Setup application.

How to establish a connection via Direct network

There are two simple ways to connect equipment to each other:

By enabling the Wi-Fi Direct function in the network settings of one device, then the other. The devices will find each other and begin exchanging data.
After the gadgets find each other, they will request a special PIN code to confirm the operation. One device automatically creates this code, and on the other the user enters it.

Programs to enable new Wi-Fi Direct features

Having established a connection using one of the two methods suggested above, you will need a special program to carry out the desired operation. There are 4 services developed by the builder:

The wireless network itself allows devices to send messages and attached files, for example, you can send a video from a tablet.
Miracast allows you to view videos, photos, presentations and play games on large TV screens. Setting up this feature on Windows 10 and 8 is easy, since Miracast is built into them: Devices - Projector - Add a wireless display. On Windows 7, it is hardly possible to enable this service; it is easier to use an HDMI cable for connection.

DLNA service for viewing files from one device on another. Using this program, you can connect a Windows 7, 8 or 10 PC to a TV, open access to files and set up a special utility for such a connection on the TV.

Wi-Fi Direct Print allows you to print files located on a smartphone, tablet or any other gadget.

After connecting the Direct function, the device itself determines the compatible equipment and its software to carry out the necessary operations. For example, if you want to play videos from your tablet on your TV, you will need Miracast pre-installed. In the search, your device will display gadgets supported by this service.

Today we got acquainted with such a set of software protocols as Wi-Fi Direct. This certificate has great prospects because it eliminates the need to work with a router. Once you connect your devices via a wireless network, you can transfer data and receive files anywhere and at any time without an Internet connection. Don't lag behind technological progress one step and then you will gain new opportunities for a bright and interesting life.

Wandering through the settings of your smartphone or tablet, you have probably seen various menu items more than once that raised questions for you. One of these items may well be Wi-Fi Direct. What is it?

Wi-Fi Direct, formerly known as Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer, is a standard that allows multiple devices to connect to each other without using a router. Simply put, several devices connect to each other without using an access point, while the technology itself uses the same wireless communication standards as the Wi-Fi we are used to. This is very convenient if you do not have a router, but you want to connect several devices, for example, a couple of smartphones.

A question arises. If, say, you need to transfer a file from one smartphone to another, why not use Bluetooth technology? There are several reasons. For Wi-Fi Direct:

High data transfer speed.

Ability to connect multiple devices.

Wide range of action.

However, if you believe other data, the Wi-Fi Direct protocol is less secure than Bluetooth.

Connection is very simple. Take the main device, go to settings and select the Wi-Fi section.

Turn on Wi-Fi. In our case, the Wi-Fi Direct item will appear at the bottom of the screen. Click on it.

After searching and connecting, you can start exchanging files.