How to Use Your PC as a Wireless Router

A wireless adapter.

Computers with a wireless card can double as a router. Small wireless networks will work just as well with a computer as a router. Larger networks, however, require a traditional wireless router. Most computers have a wireless card built in. If not, wireless card and adapters are less expensive than a wireless router.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless card or adapter

Instructions

1. Install a wireless adapter, if necessary. Insert the CD to install the software. Insert the wireless adapter into an available USB slot when prompted. Restart the computer after installation.

2. Set up a new network on the wireless router computer. For Windows, go to "Start," "Control Panel" and "Network Connections." (You may need to change the Control Panel view to "Classic View" on the left of the screen to see "Network Connections." Right click "Wireless Network Connection" and select "Properties."
   Click the "Wireless Networks" tab. Click "Add" to add a new network. Type a name into the "Network Name (SSID)" box. Choose "Open" for the "Network Authentication" and "WEP" for "Data Encryption." Type a 13 digit password into the password text box. Check the box next to "This is a computer to computer (ad-hoc) network." Click "Ok" to finish. Don't exit the Network Connections screen.

3. Enable ICS or Internet Connection Sharing on the router computer. Right click the connection you use for the Internet. For instance, if you use broadband, the connection may be named based on your ISP or called "Local Area Connection." Choose "Properties." Click the "Advanced" tab and check the box to enable ICS. Choose "Wireless Connection" as your connection type from the drop down menu. Click "Apply" and "Ok" to complete.

4. Enable other computers to access the wireless router computer network.
   On a computer with a wireless card, double click the wireless network icon in the notification tray. There should already be a notification bubble once the wireless network is created. Choose the network name created in Step 2 and press "Connect." Enter the network key twice to connect.

Tips & Warnings

• To disconnect from the wireless network, click "Disconnect" from the Windows Network list window. The main computer can also terminate the connection.

• When sharing Internet access, the main computer must remain on at all times; shutting down the computer that's acting as the wireless router will disconnect all computers and devices from the network.

Resources

• Ad Hoc Networks on Windows Vista