Definition of computer network

A computer network is a group of computers that use a set of common communication protocols over digital interconnections for the purpose of sharing resources located on or provided by the network nodes. … They are identified by hostnames and network addresses.

What Is an Ad Hoc Network?

In computer networking, an ad hoc network refers to a network connection established for a single session and does not require a router or a wireless base station

For example, if you need to transfer a file to your friend’s laptop, you might create an ad hoc network between your computer and his laptop to transfer the file. This may be done using an Ethernet crossover cable, or the computers’ wireless cards to communicate with each other. If you need to share files with more than one computer, you could set up a mutli-hop ad hoc network, which can transfer data over multiple nodes.

Connecting two computers does not always require a centrally managed network. Instead, users can set up an ad hoc network between two computers. The two devices communicate through an ethernet cable or wireless cards. However, this connection is only temporary.

Types of Ad hoc networks
The self-supporting nature of ad hoc
networks makes them quite useful in
situations such as natural disasters,
emergency military operations, or even to
just quickly transfer information between
two computers at home. However, in spite
of such ease of use and scalability, there
are physical and performance limitations to an ad hoc network in the practical
world. The types of ad hoc networks are as follows:
 Mobile ad hoc networks
A mobile ad hoc network (MANET) is a self forming network of mobile devices
connected wirelessly.
 Wireless mesh networks
A wireless mesh network (WMN) is a communications network of radio nodes
structured in a mesh topology. The clients within the network are usually laptops,
mobile phones, and other wireless equipment. The mesh network, with the help of
routers and gateways, transmits data to and from the wireless devices. The
communication is within the mesh and not to the internet.
 Wireless sensor network

FEATURES OF ADHOC NETWORK

What is the main characteristic of an ad hoc network?The main characteristics of wireless ad hoc networks are as follows: Wireless ad hoc networks are distributed networks that do not require fixed infrastructures to work. Network nodes in a wireless ad hoc network can be randomly deployed to form the wireless ad hoc network.

Their main characteristics can be summarized as follows: The topology is highly dynamic and frequent changes in the topology may be hard to predict; Mobile ad-hoc networks are based on wireless links, which will continue to have a significantly lower capacity than their wired counterparts; Physical security is limited .

How Does an Ad Hoc Network Work?

Let’s say that Adam needs to transfer a file over to his friend, Eve, but doesn’t have access to a safe Wi-Fi connection. He can create an ad hoc network instead.

An ad hoc network is a temporary type of Local Area Network (LAN) If you set up an ad hoc network permanently, it becomes a LAN.

Multiple devices can use an ad hoc network at the same time, but this might cause a lull in performance. Users can also employ an ad hoc network to access the internet, as long as the hosting device can access the internet. This might be useful if only one small area of a location can access the internet, but multiple people need to get online.

With an ad hoc network, several devices can share the host device’s internet access. Employers typically pay well for jobs that manage this sort of network, especially in fields that demand a lot of travel.

Adam can create an ad hoc network between his and Eve’s laptops wirelessly, as long as it is within 100 meters (about 328 feet). From that point, he can transfer files to Eve’s laptop.

However, since Adam’s computer is the hosting device, the connection between the two devices will end when Adam ends the session, no matter how many devices are connected to the ad hoc network at the time.

How to set up a ad hoc network at home

In order to establish an ad hoc connection, you must have two or more personal
computers or laptops with wireless network interface cards. To establish
an ad hoc connection on a home computer, perform the following steps:

1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Network Connections icon.
3. Right-click your wireless network connection, and click Properties.
4. The Wireless Network Connection Properties window appears. Click
   the Wireless Network Tab.
5. Click the Add button present under the Preferred networks section.
6. The Wireless Network Properties window appears.
7. Type a name for your network in the text field Network Name (SSID), present
   under the tabAssociation.
8. Check both the The key is provided for me automatically and This is a
   computer-to-computer (ad hoc) network check boxes.
9. Click Ok to save the made changes. The Ad hoc network is now set up.
   Note: To ensure security for the ad hoc network, you can clear the The key is
   provided for me automatically check box and specify your own 13 digit
   password.
   How to connect additional computers to the ad hoc
   network
   To connect another computer to the ad hoc network, perform the following steps:
10. In the lower right hand corner of your desktop screen, right-click the Wireless
    Network icon and then click View Available Wireless Networks.2. The Wireless Network Connection window appears. It will display your newly
    created ad hoc network with the SSID name you specified. Highlight your
    connection on the list by clicking it and then clickConnect.
11. Type your encryption key in both the Network key and the Confirm network
    key text boxes and click Connect, if you have chosen a password earlier.
12. A progress bar will be displayed as the connection is established. Once the
    connection is through, you can exit the Wireless Network
    Connection window.

ADVANTAGES OF ADHOC NETWORK

Router Free

Connecting to files on other computers and/or the Internet without the need for a wireless router is the main advantage of using an ad hoc network. Because of this, running an ad hoc network can be more affordable than a traditional network—you don’t have the added cost of a router. However, if you only have one computer an ad hoc network won’t be possible.

Mobility

Ad hoc networks can be created on the fly in nearly any situation where there are multiple wireless devices. For example: emergency situations in remote locations make a traditional network nearly impossible, but “The medical team can utilize 802.11 radio NICs in their laptops and PDAs and enable broadband wireless data communications as soon as they arrive on the scene.”

Speed

Creating an ad hoc network from scratch requires a few settings changes and no additional hardware or software. If you need to connect multiple computers quickly and easily, then an ad hoc network is an ideal solution.

In ad hoc network, node acts as a router to send and receive the data. An advantage of the system is robustness, flexibility and mobility. Ad hoc network are capable for analyzing radio propagation environment to optimize the performance

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