Reference Manual

HOW TO configure and use a Virtual WiFi Adapter in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1

Elevation required Click this icon if your system is not displaying the Virtual WiFi Adapter:

Introduction

While all versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8 support a virtual Wireless LAN adapter (if the machine is fitted with appropriate WiFi hardware), the adapter is of no use under Windows 7 Starter Edition because of the lack of Internet Connection Sharing support on that platform.

NAT32 Version 2 provides the necessary connection sharing support and user administration support in order to turn your Windows 7 Netbook into a WiFi Access Point (SoftAP or HostAP).

There are several reasons why you might want to do this, including:

  • To share the netbook's GSM connection (WWAN) amongst other devices.

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  • To share a DSL connection without having to purchase a WLAN Router.

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  • To extend the range of an existing Wireless LAN.

    • Requirements

    Before we look into how the above functionality can be achieved, a few provisos should be mentioned:

  • Your Windows 7 machine may require a WiFi adapter driver upgrade if the Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter does not appear in your network adapter list.

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  • For Windows 8 and later, click this icon to allow hosted networks:

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  • Any wireless device that is to connect to the Virtual WiFi Network must support WPA2 encryption.

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  • Legacy Operating Systems may therefore require a WiFi driver software upgrade.

    • Configuration

    Before configuring NAT32 Version 2, configure the Windows TCP/IP stack of the Virtual WiFi Adapter with a fixed, private IP address such as 192.168.32.1. Then proceed as follows:

  • Start NAT32 via the grey Desktop icon.

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  • In the Interface Selection dialog box, select the Microsoft Virtual WiFi MiniPort Adapter and then click the Private radio button.

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  • Select the interface with the desired Internet connection and then click the Internet radio button.

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  • Then click Continue and accept all of the setting presented in the subsequent Interface Configuration dialog boxes.

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  • In the NAT32 Console, set the desired SSID with the command: 
    set ssid xxxxxxxx
  • Set the desired Passkey with the command: 
    set passkey xxxxxxxx
    

    • 

  • Now start the Software Access Point with the command:

    

    su softap on
    

    

    • 

  • Note that the softap command requires privilage and should therefore be executed in
admin mode Elevation required

    • 

    

    Conclusion

    Computers that connect to your new Wireless LAN will now have full Internet access via NAT32's powerful
Internet connection sharing capabilities. Additional NAT32 features such as Access Control and Usage Control
can also be enabled if desired, thus converting even a Windows 7 Starter Edition Netbook into a powerful,
fully configurable Wireless Router.


     
    
SEE ALSO

    
User Administration,
SoftAP

    


    
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