wifi network on board (again)

[BlueSkyNick]

I have been a good boy and used the Search facility because I know there are lots of threads about this, but I cant find the specific answer I need.

All I want to do is set up a wireless link between PC and Ipad or Iphone. I have done it at home using both VNC and AirDisplay which were previously suggested on this forum, but they working via my home wifi router.

What I have failed to do is set up an adhoc connection between two simply because I cant get it working! I have set up a network called Boat on my laptop (Windows7) and used the same settings in trying to find the new network on my Ipad but neither can see the other.

I am not bothered about creating a shared connection to the internet on board, so dont need to set up a hotspot (or maybe I do)

So I am thinking I just need to set up a little WLAN, (preferably using something which doesnt need mains power such as a wireless router.)

all guidance gratefully received.

 

[nigelmercier]

Adhoc connections are a PITA, I don't think iDevices support them.

The info in this post is still valid, even if you are not connecting to an external network
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Ah OK, that helps ... it's a No.

Off to Amazon we go ....

thanks very much

 

[Jamesuk]

Buy a router and have that onboard. Otherwise connect the devices via blue tooth ;-)

 

[nigelmercier]

... Otherwise connect the devices via blue tooth ;-)

Good luck with that.

 

[JSYmartini]

I bought the wififorboats kit a while ago, I won't be installing the large external antenna until I've made a new mast so I haven't used it to connect to the Internet yet.

But I installed the rest of the kit which includes a Ubiquiti router that runs off the 12v supply so the boat does have its own hotspot which was easy to do and seems to be perfectly reliable. Just a shame I can't think of a use for it yet!

 

[Cardo]

Not tried using Windows, but iDevices are definitely capable of connecting to ad-hoc networks created by a Mac.

However, if a router is going to be required, I would recommend the Alfa R36. Very common amongst boaters and very easy to wire up into boat electrics as it runs off 12v. I have had this hooked up directly (via fuse, ofc) to our boat electrics for over a year now and voltage fluctuations have not caused any problems thus far.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Adhoc connections are a PITA, I don't think iDevices support them.

The info in this post is still valid, even if you are not connecting to an external network
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

Bought the Alfa USB Adaptor as recommended in the thread mentioned here, and it really is the mutt's nuts.

Set up adhoc connection easy enough by creating a network on the PC called BOAT then just connect to same by selecting it on the ipad. Then open up AirDisplay to acheive the final result.

 

[Joker]

Any suggestions for connecting a Windows laptop to Android [Nexus 7] via wifi?

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Any suggestions for connecting a Windows laptop to Android [Nexus 7] via wifi?

Personally no, because I have never had an Android, but the basic networking principles must be the same. The only difference being how you choose a wifi network on the Android.

These things are often a case of giving it a go and working it out for yourself as you go along, because nobody has written a simple guide on how to do it!

 

[nigelmercier]

Any suggestions for connecting a Windows laptop to Android [Nexus 7] via wifi?

Same: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

 

[mrming]

Same: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

It looks like the answer is no unless you're willing to root your tablet and install the CyanogenMod ROM:

http://www.thinktube.com/component/content/article/19-technicalinformation/46-android-wifi-ibss
http://www.cyanogenmod.org/

 

[nigelmercier]

Same: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rs-from-one-wifi-signal&p=4088870#post4088870

It looks like the answer is no unless you're willing to root your tablet and install the CyanogenMod ROM:

You don't need to do any such thing. A Windows Hosted Network, as in my post above, is not an ad-hoc network. If your Wi-Fi card doesn't support WHN, then I give a link to one that can.

 

[mrming]

Just to clear this up for posterity, if you have Windows 7 or 8, do what Nigel says in his post. If you have XP or Vista (and are therefore creating an ad-hoc network) see above. Should have made that clear.

 

[nigelmercier]

Just to clear this up for posterity, if you have Windows 7 or 8, do what Nigel says in his post. If you have XP or Vista (and are therefore creating an ad-hoc network) see above. Should have made that clear.

Indeed, a Windows Hosted Network only applies to Windows 7 or later, as mentioned in my link.

 

[Joker]

I've discovered Virtual Router Plus, which works a treat:

http://download.cnet.com/Virtual-Router-Plus/3000-18508_4-75905984.html

 

[nigelmercier]

I've discovered Virtual Router Plus, which works a treat:

Does exactly the same as my write-up, but I found it unreliable.

 

[MiracleMaud]

I've discovered Virtual Router Plus, which works a treat:

http://download.cnet.com/Virtual-Router-Plus/3000-18508_4-75905984.html

Thanks for sharing that. It works for me too.

 

[tudorsailor]

Any suggestions for connecting a Windows laptop to Android [Nexus 7] via wifi?

I have a wireless repeater http://www.faculty-x.net/wl-usbwifirpt-3000.htm that I bought mainly to redistribute internet from the outdoor aerial. Connect the repeater to your laptop with ethernet cable. I then use Splashtop http://www.splashtop.com/personal to connect PC to anything else. In my case I have a Asus tablet at the helm in a mount. Now I can see OPenCPN including AIS repeated up from the PC. I would point out that the first connection of any device has to register via the Internet but thereafter can see the device wirelessly. I can see the PC with my Android phone

TudorSailor

 

[Mistroma]

I have a wireless repeater http://www.faculty-x.net/wl-usbwifirpt-3000.htm that I bought mainly to redistribute internet from the outdoor aerial. Connect the repeater to your laptop with ethernet cable. I then use Splashtop http://www.splashtop.com/personal to connect PC to anything else. In my case I have a Asus tablet at the helm in a mount. Now I can see OPenCPN including AIS repeated up from the PC. I would point out that the first connection of any device has to register via the Internet but thereafter can see the device wirelessly. I can see the PC with my Android phone

TudorSailor

The Model WL-USBWIFIRPT-3000 shown in the link looks exactly the same as an Alfa R36 (apart from being about 33% more expensive). The R36 re-broadcasts the signal from an Alfa USB adapter but also has a port for Ethernet connection and should work in the same way. However, the R36 is described as "not consumer friendly".