Free virtual router for distributing wi-fi from any computer. Creating a computer network How to create a virtual wi-fi

Virtual router manager is designed to help if you do not have a real wifi router and needs to be distributed. Her the main task- imitation of a wi-fi router, so you can forget about any wires and inconveniences. The program is reliable and licensed, there are no viruses in it, and you can download virtual router manager for free. The program is compatible with the operating system Microsoft Windows XP, Seven and above.

What devices is the program compatible with?

The key condition for the correct operation of the program is the presence of wi-fi on the distributing and receiving devices. The receiving devices can be: iPhone, iPod Touch, netbooks, laptops, audio devices, wireless multifunction devices, smartphones, phones with Android or Zune and others. The distributing device (usually a computer) on which the program is installed must have a wi-fi adapter.

Where to download Virtual Router?

You can download virtual router manager on the official website or on torrents. Please note that the file must only be with the extension ".exe" or ".msi". Anyone can set up the program without even reading the instructions. Using the program is even easier than installing it.

How to get started with virtual router manager?

To distribute wifi on windows, you will need to perform the simplest manipulations:

• correctly indicate the name of your network;
• enter a password;
• press the "Start" button.

Entering a password is necessary for the security of the transmitted data so that another person cannot unauthorizedly connect to your virtual distribution. All devices that you connect via virtual wifi will be displayed in the program window. If necessary, it is even possible to find out the ip and MAC addresses of each device by looking at them in the program window.

Working with the program

Essentially a virtual router manager russian the version is a shell, that is, it is able to perform all the settings for you. To get access via wifi, just run the program and minimize it to tray after it. With such actions, every time you turn on the computer, it will automatically start.

Program settings

The setting comes down to filling or selecting in 4 lines:

• to create wifi network, you need to come up with any name for it in the upper field;
• in the next field, come up with a password consisting of at least 8 characters;
• in the drop-down menu "Shared Connection" select the connection through which the computer connects to the Internet;
• select from the bottom drop down menu desired type connections.

We press the central button "Start Virtual Router" - the settings are completed. In the same settings window, you will see "Peers Connected", where all connected portable devices will be displayed, which will be distributed wifi.

How to choose the right type of connection?

In order to correctly create a wifi network, you need to select the desired type of connection - this is important! There are two modes: access point or ad hoc.

• ad hoc. This mode provides a point-to-point connection. In simple terms, only one device can be connected to a virtual router.
• access point. This mode will allow you to connect to an "access point" (distributing wifi device) a large number of receiving devices. Possible problems and their elimination

To distribute Wi-Fi, just download Virtual Router Plus in Russian and install it as an Internet distributor. Download and try the stable version of this program.

You only have cable connection to the Internet, but do you want to additionally use a smartphone or tablet? Now this problem is easily solved. By installing a small Virtual Router Plus utility on your laptop, you can create a full-fledged point WiFi access, which is no different from that provided by a conventional router.

Virtual Router Plus download in Russian

Everything you need to do to enjoy wireless internet is to install the above application on your laptop and, immediately after launch, execute simple settings. Namely, in the appropriate fields, specify the login and password for subsequent connection to the newly made access point.

So having Virtual Router Plus among the list installed programs on your device, you can provide yourself and your friends with high-quality wireless Internet at any time. And most importantly, you will get all these privileges absolutely free of charge, since the utility is in free distribution and does not have a paid license.

If virtual router plus is not suitable for your purposes, then you can go to the "" section of our website and select other, more suitable applications there, for example -.

A virtual router plus will allow you to distribute the Internet using an access point on a computer or laptop. Take advantage of the free latest version programs in Russian to distribute Wi-Fi.

Png" data-category="Apps for WiFi distribution"data-promo="/templates/Pisces-kamazox/images/dw..html" target="_blank">Download Virtual Router Plus

Standard installer				Is free!
check		Official distribution Download Virtual Router Plus		check
close		Silent Installation without dialog boxes		check
close		Installation Recommendations necessary programs		check
close		Batch installation of multiple programs		check

We remind you that attempts to repeat the actions of the author can lead to the loss of the warranty for the equipment and even to its failure. The material is provided for informational purposes only. If you are going to reproduce the steps described below, we strongly advise you to carefully read the article to the end at least once. The editors of 3DNews are not responsible for any possible consequences.

For Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is just one of the many innovations that has gone almost unnoticed, although it is extremely easy to find materials on this topic on the Web. Strictly speaking, the Wi-Fi specification implies that the network operates in two main modes - either point-to-point (ad-hoc mode), when all clients connect to each other, or in access point mode (infrastructure mode), when data exchange between two hosts goes through a third party. The operation of one physical adapter simultaneously in these two modes is theoretically impossible.

In practice, Microsoft decided to turn their attention to the now fashionable virtualization technologies and created a layer that abstracts the wireless adapter. In fact, we can have several Wi-Fi modules in the system, each with its own settings, which in reality use the resources of only one physical device. This subsystem is called Virtual Wi-Fi. Intel has a similar development - Intel MyFi (My Wi-Fi). We will not go into the technical details of the implementation of each of the technologies - it is important for us that we can make the adapter work in the Software Access Point (SoftAP) mode.

So why would you need SoftAP? Firstly, to quickly organize a local wireless network to which you can connect another computer, smartphone, and so on. Secondly, you can distribute the Internet from the main machine inside our small network. In this case, the clients will be behind NAT. It doesn't matter how we access the Network on a machine with SoftAP - via Ethernet, WiMax, 3G, Dial-Up (anything happens) or something else. It is noteworthy that a computer can be connected to any wireless network and at the same time be an access point.

Thus, it is easy to create a repeater by placing a laptop on the edge of receiving the main wireless network and setting the same SoftAP settings as the parent access point. Thus, we will expand the range of the network, and all clients, if necessary, will automatically reconnect to the repeater and vice versa. Another possibility is the easy "institution" of wireless client traffic to any available network interface, for example, to a VPN tunnel. There are other possibilities for using a software access point that go beyond the moral framework of our rubrics.

To implement SoftAP, we need a Wi-Fi adapter whose drivers support this mode. In principle, almost all modern wireless modules, built-in or external, have this capability. Moreover, Virtual Wi-Fi support is one of the prerequisites for the adapter to be included in the list of certified compatible devices for Windows 7. Do not be too lazy to find out this point before starting the setup and update the drivers from the manufacturer’s official website just in case WiFi module. However, in most cases, the driver that “arrived” along with system updates will work as it should. Unfortunately (not very big, really), now we can create only one virtual access point with mandatory WPA2-PSK / AES encryption.

In order to create an access point, it is enough to launch the console (command line) as an administrator and execute a single command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="SoftAP Tst" key="Yourpassword" keyUsage=persistent

Naturally, in the ssid parameter, you must specify the name of the access point, and in key, set the password for accessing the network. In the future, you can change the AP parameters in the same way. After executing the command, the OS will install correct driver and the Virtual Wi-Fi we need will appear in the list of wireless adapters. To remove an adapter, specify mode=disallow in the command and omit all other parameters.

Now you can start the point with the command:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

To stop the work, we logically change the start parameter to stop in the command.

Highly discouraged when working inSoftAP disable physical adapterWi-Fi for example pull it outUSB ports - this can lead to an emergency shutdown of the OS !!!

To view the current settings of a virtual access point, you can use the commands:

netsh wlan show settings

netsh wlan show hostednetwork setting=security

When SoftAP starts, the built-in DHCP server will automatically start. To "share" the Internet connection for users of the newly created wireless network, you need to go to the "Sharing" tab in the properties of that network interface, which just has access to the Web. There you need to enable permission to share the network and select our virtual adapter in SoftAP mode.

To simplify working with a software access point, two programs can be recommended: VirtualRouter and Connectify. The first is absolutely free, but a little outdated and does not always work out of the box, and the second asks to pay money for access to some functions. However, it's worth it. The functionality of the utility far exceeds the built-in capabilities of the OS for working with a virtual access point. It has an UpnP server, it allows you to choose a different type of encryption, it has more convenient management of wireless clients, and much, much more. In general, a real little software monster for organizing a hot spot. If you really need this advanced functionality, then $30 a year doesn't sound like much. You can also create a software hotspot on Linux or Mac OS X. True, in the first case, you will have to tinker with the settings, and there will be fewer opportunities than in Windows 7. In the second case, in the best traditions of Apple's OS, everything is done elementarily. In addition, with the advent of AirDrop and AirPlay, the exchange of information between i-devices has been greatly simplified. On this, as they say in these your Internets, we will consider the topic open. Good luck!

Any computer with a wifi adapter can be configured as a virtual wifi router without application third party programs. But every time you restart your computer, you will have to create virtual network again.

Let's figure out what is the peculiarity of creating a virtual router using only one operating system, and with the help of special programs.

Creating a virtual router using Windows

Remember that the main requirement when creating a virtual network using the operating system is that connected devices, clients must work with WPA2-PSK / AES encryption. AT otherwise they will not be able to connect to your virtual router.

Create an access point

To implement a virtual network, you need to open a command prompt, and as an administrator, run the command netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allowed ssid=”My Virtual Wi-Fi” key=”Password” keyUsage=persistent

Command values:

• My Virtual Wi-Fi is the name of the wireless network. Think of any so that you can find it in the list of wifi networks.
• Password – password for access to the created network.

Run command

After implementing this command, a network card should appear in your Device Manager - “Microsoft Virtual Wi-Fi Mini Port Adapter”, and a wireless network connection 2 should appear in the network connections folder.

Virtual router adapter

To start your virtual network, open the command prompt again and enter this command - netsh wlan start hostednetwork. Now the network should work, you can check this by searching for wireless networks on any wifi device. If you want to turn off virtual router, then on the command line, instead of - start, type - stop, and the network will stop broadcasting.

Deleting an access point

To remove a virtual router from a computer, you need to run the command on the command line as an administrator - netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow.

Now the virtual router adapter will disappear from the device manager.

Internet access from a virtual router

Go to Network and Sharing Center, then change adapter settings. You should select your Internet connection, go to its properties. There, go to the Access tab. Check the box next to the inscription - allow other network users to use the Internet connection this computer. Just below, specify the connection that you allow access to. We have a wireless network connection 2.

Selecting a connection property

We check, connect to the created network, try to access the Internet.

In this version of creating a virtual router, everything is fine and fast, but there is one inconvenience - when you restart the computer, all the manipulations described above will have to be performed again. Therefore, in order to avoid this, you can use a special software to implement virtual networks. With its help, setup is simplified and when you restart your computer, you do not have to start everything over again every time.

Creating a virtual router using the application

On the Internet, you can find a dozen applications that help create virtual networks. But now we will consider one of them, this is mHotspot. A small application that does not require installation, consisting of a single file.

Download the program from the Internet, run executable file, the following window should appear.

Mhotspot application menu

The Mhotspot application menu has three buttons: "SETUP HOTSPOT", "START", "STOP". First, click - SETUP HOTSPOT, this is the access point setting.

Mhotspot setup

Now we enter data from the corresponding fields: Hotspot name - we write the name of the future virtual network, this name will be displayed during the search wireless networks. Password - we write the password, it will have to be entered to access the virtual network. This measure will protect your network from unauthorized users. Save by pressing the button - OK. Everything, you can press the button - Start, and your virtual router should work.

Setting up Internet distribution

Now we need to set up Internet distribution from an existing connection. Go to: control panel - network and internet - network and sharing center - change adapter settings.

Virtual Wireless Connection

In this window, we are looking for Wireless network connection 2. Move the mouse over it, the inscription should pop up - Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter. For convenience, it is possible to rename it to - Virtual WiFi. Now find your internet connection.

There may be several of these connections, because you can use the Internet from a 3G modem, or through a provider cable. Choose exactly what you want to distribute the Internet from.

Go to the properties of the selected connection and check the boxes as shown in the picture below.

Internet access

After pressing the button - OK, you need to reconnect this Internet connection, and the virtual router should distribute the Internet.

When you restart your computer, if you want to share the Internet via wifi, just run the application - Mhotspot and click - Start. Now you don’t need to enter anything, because. the program remembered the previously entered data. The application can be closed, the virtual router will continue to distribute the Internet.

How to set up a Virtual Wi-Fi connection

Now it is difficult to imagine how you can do without the use of wireless networks. The discovery of wireless networking technology has made a significant contribution to the industry and has changed the way the personal computer is used. Virtual Wi-Fi is a software layer that abstracts a wireless network card and creates multiple virtual adapters. What can this technology be used for?

During its existence, wireless networks (Wireless Local Area Network-WLAN) have experienced many changes that have affected security, range and speed of operation, but the basic principles of operation have remained unchanged.

Wireless networks can operate in two modes: when two or more devices are connected directly to each other - point-to-point, or when they are connected via an access point (Access Point-AP). In the first case, they talk about a simple network (ad-hoc mode). Usage this mode work is quite rare and is used mainly for data exchange when it is not possible to use an access point. The second mode, using an access point, is called infrastructure (infrastructure mode) and in most cases is used in conjunction with wireless router that is connected to the internet. But the use of two operating modes simultaneously on one physical wireless adapter is not provided by the Wi-Fi concept itself.

In search of new ways to use wireless networks, the concept of virtualization has been proposed, which removes certain restrictions from the use of such networks and thereby expands their capabilities. This approach of using wireless adapters has been implemented by several companies with corresponding technology names. At Intel, it's Intel My WiFi, and at Microsoft, it's Virtual WiFi.

Virtual Wi-Fi is a software layer that abstracts the wireless network card and creates multiple virtual adapters. Each virtual adapter can be separately configured to connect to different wireless networks, but they will all use the resources of only one physical wireless adapter.

What can this technology be used for? For example, creating a personal area network (Wireless Personal Area Network - WPAN) in which you can quickly connect a PDA, phone, printer, camera, laptop and other device with a wireless adapter for simple exchange information; use a laptop as a hotspot (Hotspot) to provide access to the Internet wireless devices using the laptop's internet connection, whether it be Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3G or WiMax. Another example would be when the radio signal is not stable enough or does not cover the desired distance between the access point and the wireless devices. In this case, a computer or laptop with Virtual Wi-Fi technology can act as a repeater, thereby improving the radio coverage of the wireless network.

In Windows 7 and Windows 2008 R2, Virtual WiFi technology was included in the system and implemented at the kernel level, in addition, work was done on a simple implementation of a software access point (Software Access Point - SoftAP), while from wireless device manufacturers, now you only need to implement SoftAP support in your drivers. In this regard, in the current implementation of Virtual WiFi in Windows 2008 R2, it is possible to create only one virtual adapter that will work only in access point mode, while providing WPA2-PSK-AES encryption.

By the way, Virtual WiFi support in drivers is a mandatory requirement for certification of wireless adapters for compatibility with Windows 7.

Virtual WiFi is referred to as Wireless Hosted Network, in Russian designation as a Hosted Network. In connection with the introduction of Virtual WiFi in new Operating Systems from Microsoft, new commands have been included in the network shell to manage a distributed network. Here are some of them:

• netsh wlan set hostednetwork allowed/disallowed - Allow or deny the use of the network.
• netsh wlan set hostednetwork<идентификатор_SSID> <парольная_фраза>persistent/temporary - Configure network settings, where SSID is the network SSID; Key - The user's security key used by the network; keyUsage specifies whether the security key is permanent or temporary
• netsh wlan show settings - Shows the network property and its status.
• netsh wlan show hostednetwork settings=security - Displays hosted network security settings. (Shows, including the password set in key when configuring netsh wlan set hostednetwork)
• netsh wlan start hostednetwork - Start hosted network.
• netsh wlan stop hostednetwork - Stop hosted network.

What does the Virtual Wi-Fi setup look like in practice: we need a laptop or a regular Personal Computer with wireless devices, and a driver that supports Virtual WiFi.

If the above criteria are met, then we call the command line with administrator rights and execute the following command in it:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MS Virtual Wi-Fi" key="Pass for virtual wifi" keyUsage=persistent

AT this example"MS Virtual Wi-Fi" is the name of the wireless network, "Pass for virtual wifi" is the password to access this network. You can set these values ​​as you wish.

After executing this command, the system will find new hardware and a new one will appear in the device manager. network adapter, or rather virtual - Microsoft Virtual WiFi miniport adapter. But again, this virtual adapter will only appear if our wireless adapter driver has Virtual WiFi support.

Going to Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center - change adapter settings, we will see a new Wireless Network Connection 2 connection, which will show the status - no connection. Therefore, the next step will be the launch of the network. To do this, in a command prompt running with administrator rights, run the command:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork.

After that, the network will start and the software access point (SoftAP) will work. You can verify this by going to Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center. Since we are using a Wi-Fi Internet connection, we found that Windows 7 was connected to several wireless networks at the same time. Now other wireless devices can connect to our hotspot.

If we want to provide access to the Internet to other wireless devices that are connected to our software access point, that is, to organize a Hot Spot (Hotspot), then you need to go to the tab Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center - change adapter settings and connection properties , which is connected to the Internet (in our case, this is a Wi-Fi connection, but it can be anything: ethernet, 3G, WiMax, etc.). On the Access tab, check the box Allow other network users to use this computer's Internet connection, and in Connect home network indicate which network adapter to provide (share) the Internet, in our case, it will be Wireless Network Connection 2, which refers to a virtual wireless adapter.

From the client side, you can see several wireless networks, and when connected to our organized access point, the client will automatically receive an IP address from the internal DHCP servers and will be separated from the external network by NAT (Network address translation).

The convenience of using Virtual Wi-Fi is obvious, but here is the use command line to configure and start the network (and you need to start the hosted network every time you restart the computer with administrator rights), it is not very convenient. And, unfortunately, there is no built-in graphical shell for setting up Virtual WiFi. Therefore, it is not surprising the appearance of third-party utilities that perform the function of this very shell. Now there are several such utilities - these are Connectify and Virtual Router Manager. Their configuration is reduced to a minimum - you need to specify the SSID and password for access. They are loaded with the system and immediately enable the distributed network and are able to display all connections to our distributed network.

Connectify