Ad Hoc Wireless Network | Mode, Infrastructure & Examples | Study.com

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Introduction to Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking

The most common way our wireless devices are connected is through the infrastructure method of wireless networking. This means our multiple devices are all connected to a single access point, usually a wireless router, and communicate with the network through the router directly. All traffic must pass through to the router and travel back to the devices separately, even if we are sending files from one local device to another. An ad-hoc wireless network is different in the sense that there is no universal access point needed and the nodes can freely communicate with each other directly. A node can be described as any single device that can transfer and receive data to and from other devices nearby. This method of networking can often be called ‘peer to peer’ since we can share local files between nodes without an infrastructure connection.

Advantages

One of the main advantages of an ad-hoc network is the ability to file share without having to rely on an active network connection. An ad-hoc network will only be useful if the plan is to transfer files between multiple devices regularly. Although many newer devices do not use or even allow ad-hoc mode, there are still a few good reasons we might want to use it. Since we can create ad-hoc networks in virtually any environment at any given time, this makes them quite ideal for companies, for businesses, or for general at-home usage for specific situations. Not needing extra hardware to set up an ad-hoc network creates ease of use and can cut the cost of business in most cases as well.

Disadvantages

Although there are multiple advantages to using our wireless devices in ad-hoc mode, there are also some disadvantages that need to be considered as well. For starters, the connection speed caps out at 11Mbps when running in ad-hoc mode versus the default 54Mbps in infrastructure mode. Also, the signal strength of devices cannot be measured since there is no way to track it. That is minor since most devices will be well within the range of each other at all times. The most significant factor is network security when the devices are all connected with each other. There is virtually no protection while using ad-hoc mode when compared to the new security features from the Wi-Fi standard.

Challenges

When it comes to a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) in particular, there are some issues to be aware of and to overcome. One of the most common challenges to a MANET is the always changing dynamic topology, which can create a problem over time. If the device links are continually changing from unidirectional and bidirectional, then that would eventually make communications more difficult. Bandwidth is another issue that could arise while using a MANET, especially when compared to that of a wired network. If we plan on using this network type for long periods of time, it would be beneficial to know not to expect the same levels of stability, reliability, and efficiency.

When it comes to security, if we are in an isolated location with a temporary ad-hoc network enabled, there would be no other device around to intercept the signal. In this particular example, security would be very high since there would be no nearby devices to disrupt the network. Not having an active internet connection cuts out external interference as well, further increasing security. It is not very likely that an ad-hoc network in an isolated location would be implemented as a standard in real-world situations, so the lack of security is still a very major problem in most environments.

Lesson Summary

In most network environments the infrastructure method is used. This implements an access point, such as a wireless router and is the current wireless standard most frequently used to connect our wireless devices to a network. There is, however, another type called the ad-hoc method. In ad-hoc mode, the wireless devices are not required to have an active internet connection to communicate with each other. This is beneficial for the simple sending of files back and forth. This allows for set up anywhere, making it perfect for an environment where we plan on having multiple devices to communicate with one another. The biggest drawback to using ad-hoc mode is the lack of security, which is why most new wireless devices do not support the use of ad-hoc networks.