Personal WiFi network
Chipmaker Intel this week revealed a new technology that will allow users to create dual wireless networks using Centrino 2 and Atom processor-based computers.
Called My WiFi, it is a wireless driver and software update for the Centrino 2-based laptops that allows a user to create a separate WiFi personal area network (PAN).
The PAN can allow up to eight incoming connections to use the separate internet connection active on the host laptop.
For users this means that they can establish informal networks wherever they are. So, for example, up to eight users could share a single public Internet access point with a single account.
The My WiFi technology includes a built-in DHCP server and supports Windows’ Internet Connection Sharing tools. The host laptop can be connected to the Internet using its WiFi connection and still allow other users to connect to it using their WiFi.
The dual connections use Intel’s 5100 WiFi and 5300 WiFi Link technologies to manage the PAN and LAN connections simultaneously.
Intel expects to make the My WiFi update available in the second quarter of this year.