Wi-fi direct does not work. Wi-Fi Direct technology: connection and configuration. What are the advantages of Wi-Fi Direct technology

Most likely, you use Wi-Fi every day at home or in a cafe; many people use this technology, or Bluetooth (sometimes just a necessary type of connection for a couple of devices). What if we take the best from them and combine them? It turns out that this is implemented in Wi-Fi Direct. This article will tell you 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 the technical aspects, then at a subconscious level for sure. This wireless communication technology has a wide range of applications, but the most used is Internet access.

Everyday use of Wi-Fi involves connecting to a router to access the Internet. A router is a physical device that creates an access point, the existence of which can be verified on 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 is obtained.

From the history of Wi-Fi Direct

Wireless data transfer of nearby devices, without the use of third-party equipment, is not new for a long time. One of the first and most widespread solutions was the introduction of Bluetooth, which appeared in 1998. Bluetooth is a wireless communication standard for connecting peripheral devices to a computer (wireless mice and keyboards) or telephone (headsets). Such devices do not require fast data transfer. Bluetooth is not a high-speed communication technology by today's standards, and there are also connection problems. Read what Bluetooth is and how it works.

The difference between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is that this connection has high speed and easier setup. It is because of these qualities of Wi-Fi that 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. They introduced the new standard in 2008 in the Centrino 2 platform. Two years later, in October 2010, major market players in the networking industry: Marvell, Atheros, Broadcom, Ralink and Realtek, began releasing their products. It is quite possible that your computer also has a Wi-Fi adapter from 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 PCs.

Wi-Fi Direct, how does it work?

The main idea when developing Wi-Fi Direct was ease of setup, the ability to support it with all types of devices at a data transfer speed equal to the usual Wi-Fi.

It works quite simply: one device is detected by another, in exactly the same way as it detected a wireless network, it connects and the devices are connected. There is no need to adjust visibility, use long numbers or put up with problems f. Another advantage is that only one of the connected devices needs to support Wi-Fi Direct.

When two devices are connected using Wi-Fi Direct, one of them creates an access point, like a router, and the other device connects to it. The capabilities 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 an Android device is used to distribute mobile Internet to other devices, but it won’t be possible to connect to a Wi-Fi network at the same time, because the device is already used as an access point. A positive feature of Wi-Fi Direct is that there are no passwords; the connection is encrypted by WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).

Now you know what Wi-Fi Direct is, and with easy installation, long range and high data transfer speeds, Wi-Fi Direct has an edge over Bluetooth in wireless data transfer. Perhaps in the future Wi-Fi Direct will be able to replace Bluetooth, because it simultaneously eliminates both the unnecessary standard and the hardware inside the device. This technology is newer, and replacing one standard with another can take quite a long time.

Wi-Fi Direct is a universal technology that was developed to provide users with the ability to carry out full-fledged wireless network communication between multiple devices, as well as perform high-speed data exchange, regardless of the presence of an access point (router). Help: created by Wi-Fi Alliance, another name for Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer.

By analogy of use it is similar to Bluetooth, but has a number of advantages:

significant connection speed (250 Mbps);
greater range (possibility of connecting in places with poor communication);
high degree of data protection (WPA2);
ease of connection (no wires and numerous incomprehensible settings);
the ability to connect literally all electronic devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVs, cameras, printers, digital photo frames) and create one common network.

In a Wi-Fi Direct network there is no main coordinator (like a router in Wi-Fi connections), its role is “transitional” and depends on the power or functionality of the connected devices. Typically this can be a laptop, then in terms of autonomy and peripherals: a smartphone, tablet, printer, camera, etc.

Useful features of Wi-Fi Direct

Despite its simplicity, the technology is truly universal and has two rational functions: Device Discovery and Service Discovery. In other words, they allow gadgets not only to join a network without routers (access points, etc.), but also to predetermine the capabilities of their work on the network. If you want to transfer a video file or video, in the list of connections you will only have access to those devices that can play it, which, you see, is very convenient.

How to set up Wi-Fi Direct on an Android smartphone

Turn on WiFi in your phone settings.
Click on the Wi-Fi Direct icon (may be at the bottom of the screen), start searching for available devices.
Confirm the selection of the connected device. Ready!

The same steps need to be done with another device connected to the smartphone.

Tip: If you want to transfer files to your device, select "Send via Wi-Fi Direct".

How to connect PC to TV via Wi-Fi Direct

We open the instructions for the TV, using the section “How to connect to a router”, connect to the one to which the PC (or laptop) is connected.
Next, perform the actions on the computer: “Network” - “Enable network discovery and file sharing” - “Make the network private.” In the window that appears, we see a list of all devices connected to this network. We choose the ones we need.
We send the files to the TV (read how to do this above) and enjoy watching it on the big screen.

This instruction is general and standardized, but in principle, each TV model comes with step-by-step instructions with a Wi-Fi Direct section.

Note that Wi-Fi Direct technology is convenient for both home, non-professional use, and for work in offices and corporations (for transferring a large number of video, photo, audio files and presentation materials from smartphones ⁄ tablets ⁄ PCs to projectors, laptops, printers etc.).

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.

Manufacturers of mobile devices on the Android platform are increasingly equipping their products with a Wi-Fi Direct chip, but not all owners of modern tablets and smartphones know what it is.

Why do you need this chip and what benefits does it provide you? To understand this, let's first look at what the phrase Wi-Fi Direct means.

The software platform is one of the most important components for smart television. You can easily find new applications and organize the ones you have installed. Bulgaria has children, fitness and local developments. For example, in the form of the Cook Me app, you have a complete cookbook with more than 200 excellent classified recipes by country, food and dish, and reading the morning newspaper can also be transferred to the TV with special 24 hours and trust.

It reproduces a much wider color range, up to 4 times greater than conventional color shades. Available in Movie Mode, Natural Mode, Game Mode and Advanced Sports Mode. We never unplug the TV, but the reality is that most TVs still use electricity even when they're turned off.

Wi-Fi Direct is a new type of data transfer. It opens up the ability to exchange information between multiple devices.

This technology is similar to Bluetooth, that is, there is a direct connection without routers or access points. But, unlike Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct has faster connection speeds and a longer range.

Preparing for first use

Before you perform these procedures, complete the following steps:

Device registration

You know this technology and you still use it every day. You know it too, and you still use it quite often. What if you combined all the strengths of these two? In this tutorial we'll talk a little about this technology and how it works. You certainly use a lot.

It is a wireless communication technology with many uses, the most common being Internet connectivity. A router is a physical device that creates a hotspot, or access point, that you see from your smartphone, phone, or computer when you are looking for a network to connect to.

Thanks to this technology, you can connect not only smartphones and tablets, but also other devices equipped with the appropriate chip. For example, the Wi-FiDirect chip is built into most modern TVs, and you can directly connect such a TV to a smartphone, laptop, computer, and so on. This way you can create a home network without a router.

Connecting to another device

Select the network you want, enter your passphrase and get it: you have Internet access. But there are also cases when you don't need the Internet, you only want to connect two devices and exchange data between them: send a file or print something on a printer. There is a technology that will help you in these cases, and it's called.

The need to send unmanaged data to another device without the need for a third device is nothing new. The way it works is also quite simple: the device detects another as if detecting a wireless network. Then enter the password or press the button and the equipment is connected.

Wi-Fi Direct chip is a separate wireless module; Because this technology is new, such a chip is not yet used in laptops.

Even the most modern and expensive laptops cannot boast of having this equipment, and even among smartphones and tablets, not all gadgets support such technology.

In what cases is the function not available?

As you already understood from what was written above, the answer to the question of how to set up Wi-Fi Direct on a laptop will be that it is impossible to do. A chip is a hardware component: either it is there or it is not. Accordingly, this type of data transfer is not available to laptops.

This procedure is performed automatically, you do not need to do it manually. The available services depend on what types of devices are connected: you can print to a wireless printer, send pictures to a digital photo frame, send files from your phone to your computer, or play music on your TV on a portable player or smartphone. Oh, and about passwords: you might forget them. As with modern routers: simply enter the screen number or press a button and the connection is made.

Now the phone will automatically detect nearby phones and connect if you want to do so. On the other phone you will receive a confirmation message, you accept this connection. Or where you just meet with friends. In shops, bars and cafes, in restaurants you can quickly and easily check your emails, or you can search for everything you need online.

If you don’t have a chip, since you won’t be able to enable Wi-Fi Direct on your laptop, you can use alternative data transfer options. To do this, you will need an access point to which the devices involved in the exchange of information will be connected.

If you don’t have an access point at hand, then you can distribute the network from a laptop to Android by establishing a direct connection.

You will also need to install a program that will share the necessary data. For example, to exchange files between a computer and a smartphone, you can use the following programs:

FTP server.
Airdroid.
MyPhoneExplorer.

The first application needs to be installed only on your smartphone. The program will generate an IP address, which must be registered on your computer in a browser or file explorer. The remaining applications need to be installed on the phone and computer, and only after that the devices must be connected. This is a great alternative to Wi-Fi Direct, allowing you to freely share files at high speed.

How to connect and transfer files

So, you already know what Direct Wi-Fi is. Now let's move on to using this function. If your smartphones or tablets are equipped with the required chip, then we move on to the question of how to use Wi-FiDirect technology.

It's actually very simple. Go to your device's Wi-Fi settings.

Turn on the wireless adapter.

Now click on the "Wi-Fi Direct" button.

The same procedure should be done on the second device. Thus, we enabled the function we required. In this case, the search starts automatically. Now all that remains is to select the equipment you want to connect from the list of available connections.

As you can see, everything is very easy and simple. It is worth noting that this technology has two convenient functions:

Device Discovery.
Service Discovery.

Simply put, gadgets can not only be united into one network without the participation of intermediaries (routers, access points, etc.), but also determine the capabilities of each device on the network. For example, if you need to transfer a video, the list of available connections will only show those devices that can receive and play it.

Considering all of the above, we can conclude that Wi-Fi Direct support means the presence in the device (laptop, smartphone, etc.) of an appropriate chip that allows you to create networks without a router and exchange data directly.

What is Wi-Fi Direct: Video

Connecting modern devices, be it a laptop, smartphone or smart TV, is technically not a problem today. Another thing is that if every TV or modern laptop has an HDMI connector, then in smartphones, ultrabooks and similar equipment the structural placement of this port is not always justified. This means that it is not always possible to effectively use the wired connection that is familiar to the user. Yes, and the wired connection, although it works great, still causes some inconvenience due to the length of the cable, the inability to send a file to a new device without having to physically plug the cord into the port.

In this version, information exchange between devices is possible only through a cord. And when there are a lot of them, this is not only inconvenient, but also leads over time to damage to the port due to constant re-connections of the cable in order to transfer the file. Therefore, a universal wireless communication technology, Wi-Fi Direct, was developed, which allows you to establish a full-fledged network connection between devices. It is also very convenient to include them in a common network due to the provision of maximum data exchange speed.

Ability to connect any equipment to your home network

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to wirelessly connect any devices that support this technology. Samsung smartphones can be easily connected to a modern LG smart TV to configure it to display information stored in the mobile device.

But the ability to use a TV as an additional display is not the only function of this technology. Wi-Fi Direct is the ability to connect gadgets such as cameras, printers to the receiving device in order to print the desired file without using wires. The same capabilities are available for gaming devices and any certified mobile devices that have an antenna for Wi-Fi connection. Today this sign can be found on household appliances produced by Samsung, Sony, LG and other well-known companies.

Wireless antenna is the norm for modern technology

This wireless communication technology allows you to configure any modern LG or Samsung TV to receive and display information on the screen without using a cord. At the same time, to connect devices to the network via a wireless connection, you need to make a couple of clicks, and after that it works without failures.

Wi-Fi Direct creates a separate channel between devices that operates separately from the standard office wireless network. In addition, in order to connect devices to this network, it is enough that Wi-Fi Direct connection is supported only on an LG TV or, for example, a Samsung smartphone. The rest of the equipment is connected to them using standard modules, which have a wireless antenna that operates on standard protocols.

The ability to watch a video file in HD quality on anything

You can take advantage of Wi-Fi Direct wireless connectivity to work with any type of application. Transfer any necessary file, synchronize data, use a TV as a second monitor, connect a media player, enable display of a network resource on a large screen - all this is possible with the wireless communication option under consideration. Devices that support this protocol allow you to create a separate one and take advantage of the benefits that flow from it.

A wireless communication antenna is now implemented in hardware in almost every modern media device. And after Samsung and LG launched more than one smart TV on the market that has an antenna for wireless communication, connecting it to the latest model of a Samsung smartphone or a laptop made by LG is easy and very convenient. Now any video file in HD, 3D and other formats can be studied not through a small display

Manufacturers of mobile devices on the Android platform are increasingly equipping their products with a Wi-Fi Direct chip, but not all owners of modern tablets and smartphones know what it is.

What is this function

Why do you need this chip and what benefits does it provide you? To understand this, let's first look at what the phrase Wi-Fi Direct means.

Wi-Fi Direct is a new type of data transfer. It opens up the ability to exchange information between multiple devices.

This technology is similar to Bluetooth, that is, there is a direct connection without routers or access points. But, unlike Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct has faster connection speeds and a longer range.

Wi-Fi Direct chip is a separate wireless module; Because this technology is new, such a chip is not yet used in laptops.

Even the most modern and expensive laptops cannot boast of having this equipment, and even among smartphones and tablets, not all gadgets support such technology.

In what cases is the function not available?

If you don’t have an access point at hand, then you can distribute the network from a laptop to Android by establishing a direct connection.

You will also need to install a program that will share the necessary data. For example, to exchange files between a computer and a smartphone, you can use the following programs:

FTP server.
Airdroid.
MyPhoneExplorer.

The first application needs to be installed only on your smartphone. The program will generate an IP address, which must be entered on your computer in a browser or file explorer. The remaining applications need to be installed on the phone and computer, and only after that the devices must be connected. This is a great alternative to Wi-Fi Direct, allowing you to freely share files at high speed.

How to connect and transfer files

It's actually very simple. Go to your device's Wi-Fi settings.

Turn on the wireless adapter.

Now click on the "Wi-Fi Direct" button.

If you need to transfer any file, then enable the function (as described above) on both gadgets. Next, on the device from which we will transfer data, enter the file explorer and find the desired folder. Touch and hold the file until a menu appears.

Select “Transfer via...” or “Send via...”. After that, select the transfer method from the proposed list.

As you can see, everything is very easy and simple. It is worth noting that this technology has two convenient functions:

Device Discovery.
Service Discovery.