WiFi Direct Wireless

Wi-Fi Alliance has announced a new specification for wireless network that will enable devices to establish simple peer-to-peer wireless connections without a wireless router or an access point. Wi-Fi Direct has a wide range of potential applications, many of which are invading the territory Bluetooth and threaten to make this wireless protocol becomes obsolete. The new specification, previously mentioned by the codename Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, will be completed soon and Wi-Fi Alliance expects to begin certifying compatible and direct Wi-Fi devices in mid-2010. Wi-Fi Direct represents a leap forward for our industry. Wi-Fi around the world will benefit from a unique technological solution to transfer content and share applications quick and easy between user devices, even when a Wi-Fi access point isn’t available, said the executive director of the Wi-Fi Alliance, Edgar Figueroa.The impact is that Wi-Fi will become even more pervasive and useful for consumers and also for all companies. Peer-to-peer wireless networks already exist in theory. In addition to connecting to wireless routers or networks of hotspots, many wireless devices are able to create a network ad hoc is basically a wireless peer-to-peer network between two devices.

An ad hoc wireless network has always been more complex but Wi-Fi Direct connects to current Wi-Fi speeds up to 250 mbps. Devices Wi-Fi Direct can also broadcast their availability and search for other Wi-Fi Direct devices. The Wi-Fi devices can connect direct, in pairs or in groups. With Wi-Fi Direct only one of the devices must be compatible with Wi-Fi Direct to connect point to point. So, for example, a Wi-Fi network Direct-mobile phone could establish a connection with a laptop without Wi-Fi Direct for transferring files between the two. Wi-Fi Direct overlaps in the territory of Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a technology used in virtually all parts for wireless connection of devices, such as headphones, mouse, or the increasingly popular Bluetooth headset.

Bluetooth uses less energy, but also has a shorter coverage and slow transfer speed. Wi-Fi Direct can enable the connectivity of devices such as the same Bluetooth, but at distances and speeds equivalent to Wi-Fi connections. There are potential safety concerns with the arrival of a technology such as Wi-Fi Direct. Bluetooth has been the subject of security issues such as bluejacking, which allows an attacker to connect anonymously with a Bluetooth device and have free access to private data. Bluejacking is only a threat in a radius of 20 or 30 feet. Wi-Fi ranges are much higher and opens up the possibility of connections of anonymous attackers from a parking lot or on the street. Wi-Fi Alliance that includes members like Cisco and Intel, is aware of security concerns, as well as the risks of Wi-Fi Direct which could introduce intruders in corporate networks. Wi-Fi Direct It will include support for WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) and AES encryption for more secure connections and measures are being developed to allow it administrators to exert some control over Wi-Fi networks in their direct environment. I think the days of Bluetooth could be counted. If Wi-Fi Direct can provide the same scope ad-hoc connectivity of Bluetooth devices, and using the same wireless networking hardware that is already included in almost all laptops, netbooks, mobile phones and other devices, after all these advantages who may make adding a Bluetooth adapter and cope with the Wi-Fi Direct drivers?