What is Wi-Fi Direct and how does it work. Wi-Fi Direct: connection and setup

Manufacturers of mobile devices on the Android platform are increasingly equipping their products with a Wi-Fi Direct chip, but not all owners of modern tablets and smartphones know what it is.

What is this function

Why do you need this chip and what advantages does it provide you? To understand this, let's first take a look at what Wi-Fi Direct means.

Wi-Fi Direct is a new type of data transfer. It opens up the ability to exchange information between multiple devices.

This technology is similar to Bluetooth, that is, there is a direct connection without routers and access points. But, unlike Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct has a faster connection speed and a longer range.

Thanks to this technology, you can connect not only smartphones and tablets, but also other devices equipped with the appropriate chip. For example, the Wi-FiDirect chip is built into most modern TVs, and you can directly connect such a TV to a smartphone, laptop, computer, and so on. Thus, you can create a home network without the involvement of a router.

Wi-Fi Direct chip is a separate wireless module; due to the fact that this technology is new, such a chip is not yet used in laptops.

Even the most modern and expensive laptops cannot boast of the presence of this equipment, and among smartphones and tablets, not all gadgets support this technology.

When the function is not available

As you already understood from the above, the answer to the question of how to set up Wi-Fi Direct on a laptop is that it is impossible to do this. A chip is a hardware component: either it is there or it is not. Accordingly, this type of data transfer is not available to laptops.

In the absence of a chip, since you will not be able to turn on Wi-Fi Direct on a laptop, you can use alternative data transfer options. To do this, you need an access point to which the devices participating in the exchange of information will be connected.

If you don't have an access point at hand, then you can distribute the network from your laptop to Android by establishing a direct connection.

You will also need to install a program that will share the required data. For example, you can use the following programs to exchange files between your computer and smartphone:

  • FTP server.
  • Airdroid.
  • MyPhoneExplorer.

The first application only needs to be installed on a smartphone. The program will generate an IP address that you need to register on your computer in a browser or file explorer. The rest of the applications need to be installed on the phone and computer, and only then connect the devices. It is a great alternative to Wi-Fi Direct, allowing you to freely share files at high speeds.

How to connect and transfer files

So, you already know what Direct Wi-Fi is. Now let's move on directly to using this function. If your smartphones or tablets are equipped with the required chip, then move on to the question of how to use Wi-FiDirect technology.

In fact, everything is very simple. Enter the Wi-Fi settings on your device.

Turn on the wireless adapter.

Now press the "Wi-Fi Direct" button.

The same procedure should be done on the second device. Thus, we have included the required function. The search starts automatically. Now all that remains is to select the equipment to be connected from the list of available connections.

If you need to transfer any file, then enable the function (as described above) on both gadgets. Next, on the device from which we will transfer data, enter the file explorer and find the desired folder. Press and hold on the file until a menu appears.

Select "Send via ..." or "Send via ...". Then select the transfer method from the list provided.

As you can see, everything is very easy and simple. It should be noted, however, that this technology has two convenient functions:

  • Device Discovery.
  • Service Discovery.

Simply put, gadgets can not only be combined into one network without the participation of intermediaries (routers, access points, and so on), but also determine the capabilities of each device in the network. For example, if you need to send a video, then the list of available connections will display only those devices that can receive and play it.

Considering all of the above, we can conclude that support for Wi-Fi Direct is the presence in the device (laptop, smartphone, etc.) of a corresponding chip that allows you to create networks without a router and exchange data directly.

What is Wi-Fi Direct: Video

Wi-Fi Direct how to transfer files... You have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone and do not know how to transfer files via wifi direct at high speed? In this article, we'll take a look at how this is done on almost all androids.

If your Samsung Galaxy smartphone supports wi-Fi Direct function, then you can transfer large files at high speed, if you compare the transmission speed of Bluetooth and wifi direct, then the bluetooth is resting. You can transfer files via Wi-Fi Direct not only from phone to phone, but also from phone to computer or from smartphone to laptop or tablet, the main thing is that the transmitted and received devices supported the wifi direct function.

This function is very useful on those smartphones that do not have a memory card, for example, you want to transfer a movie in good quality from a computer to a smartphone, and it accordingly weighs more than one GB and it will take a lot of time to transfer such a movie via bluetooth. And if you transfer the same file from computer to smartphone via Wi-Fi Directthen it will be much faster. The main thing is that both devices must support this function.

You can pre-establish a connection between two devices from which you want to send and receive a file. To do this, go to the settings and select the Wi-Fi item. Next, activate it, and then click on the menu in the form of three dots.

Next, a menu will open where we select Wi-Fi Direct and look for available devices. On the receiving device, enable wi-fi direct to detect it. When you see the desired device on the screen, to which you need to transfer the file, you need to select it. Confirm the connection with your Android Samsung Galaxy on the received device.

Let's see how to enable Wi-Fi Direct on Samsung Galaxy and how to transfer files to another smartphone or other device that supports Wi-Fi Direct.

For example, we will see how to transfer a file from the gallery via wifi direct:
Open the gallery and select any photo, video or just a picture by touching it, after which you will see a menu at the top of the screen with possible actions for the selected file. Select the icon that allows you to transfer the selected file in various available ways. See the attached screenshot below.

In the menu that opens, select the icon with the signature Wi-Fi Direct.

After confirming that Wi-Fi Direct is turned on, the android will start searching for other devices. To find another device, you need to turn on the wi-fi direct on that device. After you find an available device and select it, a notification will appear on the receiving device. receive file via wifi direct, you need to confirm. Then the transfer process from your smartphone to another smartphone or other device will begin.

I hope this article helped you and you could find the information you need.
Don't forget to leave a review if this article helped you or not. Please indicate the model of the device to which this method came or did not fit. I wish you all good luck !!!

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  • A big request for help with useful tips with users.
  • Perhaps it is your comment or advice that will help in solving the problem of Samsung smartphone users.
  • Thank you for your responsiveness, mutual assistance and helpful advice !!!

Wi-Fi Direct, also called Peer-to-Peer, is an upper layer 7 protocol stack of the OSI model. In other words, a set of rules governing interaction with low-level program services that interface to the user. These standards are designed for direct device connection to each other, bypassing routing equipment, and allowing the establishment of complex decentralized structures.

Features of the technology and how it works

This technology uses modules familiar to everyone, operating at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies within the widespread 802.11 a / b / g / n specifications. In fact, this is a refinement of the SoftAP mode. A software access point is created and with the help of the same WPS others are tied to it.

The new standard maintains the same speed as the regular one, that is, up to 250 mb / s. Although at a lower speed, the bandwidth is more than sufficient for the most demanding content. The performance of the P2P space created depends on whether the hardware is 802.11 a, b or n and the profile of its electromagnetic environment (other sources of interference).

The range of Wi-Fi Direct is the same as that of an ordinary one - no more than 250 meters.

The number of members in a group united by the new protocol cannot be as large as in a star topology. Multiple links is provided only for some devices with this function, for example, smartphones. There are also those that can use only one channel.

Each gadget with this system automatically detects potential "interlocutors". It sends information with a list of its own services and receives similar signals from neighboring services, analyzing their contents. To establish communication with the devices, just select the one you need from the list and by pressing the button. All P2P hardware is ranked according to processing power. The control is more often found in those who have higher productivity (laptops, mobile phones, game consoles). They possess enhanced administrative powers compared to digital cameras, printers, photo frames and other similar digital assistants. However, absolutely anything that works with P2P can initiate the creation of an appropriate environment. Moreover, devices with conventional modules can also be added here.

Digital assistants, for whom this new technology is native, can simultaneously reside both in their community and in the central infrastructure formed by the router. Multi-vector is optional and, for example, is typical for laptops and smartphones.

Also, any member of Wi-Fi Direct is able to access the Internet by connecting to the host, while remaining in a common secure domain for everyone. Secure domain Is an area protected by the WPA2 certification program that uses the router's access point to access the Internet and manages it separately from the rest of the intranet.

Another participant cannot see the list of her contacts without the permission of someone else's operating system. The amount of information that is publicly available depends on the application itself that users run. So LAN games initially request permission to identify themselves and acquire the right to search for similar inclusions. The same can be said for photo and image services.

Advantages and disadvantages

Direct "communication" of all "smart" devices gives a serious time saving. Obviously, sending something to print from a tablet directly using Wi-Fi Direct technology is much easier than throwing it onto a Windows 7/8/10 computer and then sending it to a USB printer. It is more convenient to show a photo or video from a phone using a large TV screen if it is sent immediately to the destination. Various photo frames, projectors are becoming more interactive, the online component for games is diversifying, and Internet access is more flexible.

The disadvantages include the following:

  • air clogging... There are a lot of multidirectional “point-to-point” “negotiations”, they also add the periphery, which creates a mess in the air;
  • questionable security in places saturated with digital technology (offices, shopping centers, train stations and airports). The multitude of signals creates a complex topology in which each participant has dozens of connection options and the ability to use neighbors as a proxy;
  • energy consumption... The signal strength places great demands on the power supply. Autonomy decreases;
  • availability special chipto initiate the subsystem.

Streams of Ordered Signals

Exist two basic sets rules for local circulation of large amounts of data. These are DLNA and Miracast. However, the latter is the most appropriate in this case. Leading manufacturers have developed a lot of programs for each of them.

DLNA supports multimedia traffic: video, photo, music. To operate in wireless mode, a central switch with an access point is required. The server is the transmitting device, on which a special program creates the server. The client just displays the picture on the screen. So the DLNA software installed on the computer uses the central switch to use the large TV screen.

Miracast knows how to operate in a point-to-point mode and, in addition to providing transport to typical audio and video files, is able to stream the desktop image. The developers have provided functionality that ensures smooth playback of the video stream and the absence of desynchronization. The establishment of contact and the beginning of the exchange of signals occurs in a couple of touches. The video signal is broadcast using the H.264 codec in Full HD. Sound is processed in AC3 format in 5.1 format. A separate plus is the support of the standard by all smartphones equipped with the operating system starting from Android 4.2.

How to enable "Wi-Fi Direct"

You can make sure that the function is present by going to wireless settingson your Android phone. Usually the corresponding sub-item is displayed there. It is in the detailed menu of this subsection that you can find all possible connections, select the one you need and connect. Now the file circulation will become active in the explorer directly.

WiFi Direct in Windows 10 is included in the network connection properties. We are looking for a device that supports this technology and connect to it.

While an anticipated step towards simplifying user operations with a variety of electronic devices, the technology remains crude. It certainly works, it can be used, and, by itself, it raises no objections. But the lack of software and the paucity of equipment with a specialized chip certainly postpones its widespread distribution. Let's hope that the time when order will finally be restored in this area is not far off.

Question: What is WiFi Direct and what is it for on the phone? How do I transfer files via WiFi Direct?

Answer: WiFi Direct is a great ability to transfer any files from one phone to another at high speed. You have probably transferred files via Bluetooth more than once and sometimes you have to wait a very long time until one large file is transferred to another phone. And since in our time technologies are improving every day, we can watch high quality movies on our phone, and the phone is also capable of shooting no less high-quality video, which can take more than one GB of memory. And now, if we want to transmit or receive a video of good quality, then even the fastest bluetooth will take a lot of time to transfer, and that's why we need to use wifi direct with which we can transfer files from one phone to another phone ten times faster, or device supporting this function. Now I think you are starting to understand what wifi direct is and what it is for on the phone. How to transfer files via wifi direct? nothing complicated on the transmitting phone you need to enable wifi, and on the receiving phone or other device enable wifi and wifi direct. Then select the desired file, picture, music, or video on the phone and select wifi direct in the transfer functions, confirm the reception on the receiving device and you will see for yourself how quickly you can transfer via wifi direct compared to Bluetooth. You probably already understood mostly what is Wi-Fi Direct and why is it needed, this function helps to transfer files at high speed to another device.

Here's how you can enable wifi direct on Android, perhaps on some devices the way of turning on may be slightly different, but I think if you think a little yourself, it will not be difficult to find. And so to find where wifi direct is turned on on Android, open "Settings" then "All settings" then "More" and put a checkmark in front of the item "WiFi Direct" and all the wifi direct function is enabled, now you can send and receive files at high speed, but remember to turn on WiFi on the transmitting device before doing this.

  • I hope this article helped you to learn at least a little what is wi-fi direct and why is it needed on the phone and other devices.
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  • Perhaps it is your advice that will help those who are looking for information to solve their problem.
  • Thank you for your responsiveness, help and helpful advice !!!

If you do not yet have an access point (router) at home, but you have already acquired a modern TV with Smart TV function and want to connect your smartphone or tablet to it, then you can use Wi-Fi Direct technology, which allows you to connect devices directly.

In this article I will try to write in detail about how to establish connections between two devices using the "Direct" technology. I will show on the example of an NTS smartphone on Android OS and an LG TV (32LN575U).

If we talk about why they connect, then there are several options. For example, to control a TV from your phone using LG's proprietary technology called TV Remote. I have already written about this technology and how to configure everything. Or to transfer media content from a smartphone to a TV, using DLNA technology (I will write about this later).

We need:

  • Smartphone or tablet with Wi-Fi Direct support. You can look in the settings, where the management of Wi-Fi networks, etc.
  • Wi-Fi Direct TV. You can find out about this in the specifications, call the manufacturer's support, or look in the settings.

Turn on Direct on your phone

Go to settings and in the section "Wireless connections and networks" click on the “ More" (this is so on my HTC One V, your settings may be called differently)... Click on Wi-Fi direct, thereby enabling it. Confirm by turning on by clicking on Ok.

A message appears that the feature is enabled.

Okay, let's go to TV.

Launch Wi-Fi Direct on TV (LG)

Go to settings (there is a special button on the remote for this) and go to the tab Network... Then select the item "Wi-Fi Direct".

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