Creating a Peer-to-Peer Network

Scenario: You have just two computers and don't need to share an Internet connection (Figure 4.11). Or, you plan to share the Internet connection on one of your computers using Internet connection sharing (ICS).

Figure 4.11. A peer-to-peer network is easy to set up and inexpensive.

A peer-to-peer network has the dual benefit of being the least expensive and the easiest to set up. You just need two wireless network adapters ($30$120 for 802.11b network adapters; slightly more for 802.11a or 802.11g).

The main problem with a peer-to-peer network is that its range is limited to the distance over which each network adapter can broadcast. To extend your range, you'll want to set up an infrastructure network, which we look at next .