Illustration of tp-link wireless network card analog AP settings

Step 1 Install the Wireless NIC driver and client software, as shown in the following figure.

Step 2 Enable simulationAPFunction.

1. Select"Advanced"Option.

2.SoftAPMode, Select"Open"," Confirm to enable SoftAP mode ", and click"Confirm". "SoftAP mode is being set, please wait", and a message "SoftAP mode is being set successfully" is displayed ".

3. Configure the simulated AP parameters, as shown in the following figure. Click "Apply" after the configuration is complete ".

InternetConnection Sharing: When multiple network connections exist on the computer, select the network connection used to connect to the internet. In this example, "local connection" is used, select the Nic corresponding to the local connection as the WAN interface of the "virtual wireless router.

Network name: The wireless network name (SSID) that is generated when the network adapter works in SoftAP mode, that is, the wireless device searches for the wireless network name of the simulated AP.

Frequency band:Because the dual-band wireless network adapter supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, you need to select the working frequency band when setting the analog AP. In Windows XP, you can select 2 to 4 Ghz or 5 Ghz. Windows 7 does not support band selection. The default operating frequency is 2 to 4 GHz.

Security mode:WPA2-PSK is recommended for the wireless encryption type of the simulated AP.

Password type:AES is recommended for encryption algorithms of wireless networks.

Security Key:The wireless network password that you need to enter when connecting to a simulated AP.

IPAddress:The IP address of the wireless network adapter, which is automatically generated when the SoftAP mode is enabled. Keep the default value.

After setting the preceding parameters, click"Application". Right-click the desktopNetwork neighbors"Select"Attribute", Open"Network connection", You can see"Local connection"Shared.

Step 3 Wireless connectionSoftAP.Search for wireless networks on your computer, select "SoftAP", and enter the "security key" set earlier ".

 

After a wireless connection, the system automatically obtains network parameters such as IP addresses. In this case, you can use SoftAP to access the Internet.

 

Special case: the computer is connected through broadband or3GConnect to the Internet and enableSoftAPIn"InternetShared connection"No"Broadband connection"And"3GInternet access"What should I do with this option? The following describes the simulationAPShared bandwidth connection and3GThe procedure is as follows.

1. EnableSoftAPMode, Set"InternetConnection Sharing"Other parameters, click"Application".

 

 

2. Cancel sharing of the local connection and right-click"Local connection", Select"Attribute"--"Advanced", In the"Advanced"Option,"InternetConnection Sharing"--" Allow other network users to connect through the Internet connection of this computer "check box, and then click"OK".

 

 

 

 

3. Set up shared bandwidth connections and 3G internet connections

(1) share"Broadband connection". Right-click"Broadband connection"Select"Attribute"--"Advanced", In the"Advanced"Option,"InternetConnection Sharing"," Allow other network users to connect through the Internet connection of this computer ",Home network connection", Select the wireless network connection corresponding to SoftAP. In this example,"Wireless connection2", And then click" OK ".

 

 

 

(2) Share"CMCC"3G internet connection. Right-click"CMCC"Select"Attribute"--"Advanced", In the"Advanced"Option,"InternetConnection Sharing"," Allow other network users to connect through the Internet connection of this computer ",Home network connection", Select the wireless network connection corresponding to SoftAP. In this example,"Wireless network connection30", And then click" OK ".

 

 

 

4. Connect to SoftAP wirelessly. Search for wireless networks for wireless connection to your computer. Select "SoftAP" and enter the wireless security key.

 

 

 

 

After devices such as computers, mobile phones, and tablets connect to SoftAP wirelessly, they can use this "virtual wireless router" to access the Internet.

2. FAQ

 

When you configure a simulated AP, the system prompts "ICS configuration failed".

TL-WN721N 3.0, TL-WN725N 1.0, TL-WN727N 3.0 and TL-WDN3321 1.0 wireless NICs support SoftAP functionality. When the SoftAP function is enabled, an error message "ICS configuration failed. You can connect to SoftAP but may not be able to use internet services" may pop up ". The screenshot is as follows:

 

Solution:

1. open "services and applications"> "services" on your computer, find the "Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)" service, and ensure that the service is enabled. If not, manually enable the service and set the startup type to automatic.

2. If the network connection on the computer has been manually shared before SoftAP is enabled, cancel the sharing.

3. if the network connection on the computer is not manually shared before SoftAP is enabled, but an error is still prompted, it is likely that the computer system has used the network connection sharing application before the SoftAP function is enabled, the status has not been restored to the initial status. Disable the SoftAP function. Go to the computer network connection page, find the local connection, and check whether the local connection status is shared.

(1) if shared, right-click "local connection" and choose "properties"> "advanced", close "Internet Connection Sharing", and click "OK ". Then, enable the sharing of another network connection and then disable it. Enable SoftAP again.

(2) if it is not shared, find a network connection and turn it off after sharing, and then try again to enable the SoftAP function.