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"Wi-Fi Direct" spec to directly compete with Bluetooth

by on15 October 2009

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Backwards compatible with existing Wi-Fi devices

The Wi-Fi Alliance
has recently announced a new peer-to-peer wireless network specification which allows connections between two devices without the need of an access point or wireless router. The first concept that came to our minds was “Ad-Hoc” Wi-Fi and its current broad availability in the market. Then we realized that Ad-Hoc is unfortunately limited to only 11Mbps and has always been more complex and cumbersome than its worth.

To mend and improve upon this substandard networking technology, the alliance has announced its near completion of Wi-Fi Direct, which will connect at existing Wi-Fi standard speeds of up to 250Mbps. In addition, the new specification will maintain backwards compatibility with much older Wi-Fi networking controller hardware, including antique 802.11b hardware. For instance, a Wi-Fi Direct-enabled mobile phone can pair up with a non-Wi-Fi direct notebook to transfer files and stream audio. Wi-Fi Direct host devices will also be able to publicly broadcast their SSIDs to allow other devices to quickly pair up.

In perspective, the technology works almost identically to Bluetooth in that devices can connect or pair in groups. It essentially takes personal area networks (PANs) from short distance Bluetooth-like range and gives them full Wi-Fi range and speed. One device will serve as a “client” and utilize a software-based “access point” (AP) so it can act as a group owner for other connected devices.

"Wi-Fi Direct represents a leap forward for our industry. Wi-Fi users worldwide will benefit from a single-technology solution to transfer content and share applications quickly and easily among devices, even when a Wi-Fi access point isn't available," said Wi-Fi Alliance executive director Edgar Figueroa. "The impact is that Wi-Fi will become even more pervasive and useful for consumers and across the enterprise."

On the short side, there are concerns among analysts regarding security vulnerabilities that Wi-Fi Direct imposes on consumer data reliability. Bluetooth has long been the subject of Personal Area Network security matters because of consistent reports of Bluejacking in large metropolitan areas and even in small-scale business rooms. While Bluejacking is only a threat within a radius of 20 or 30 feet due to wireless range limitations, Wi-Fi allows for the possibility of more frequent attacks with radiuses of several hundred feet. Intel and Cisco are aware of the security limitations that Wi-Fi direct imposes on the enterprise market and have influenced the Wi-Fi Alliance to enable WPA2 and AES encryption on the upcoming standard.

In terms of availability, many partner companies are currently beta testing the standard to ensure optimum reliability. Intel and Atheros have both gone on record to proclaim that they strongly support the Wi-Fi Direct standard. In the long run, it will be up to the majority of consumers and enterprise markets to adopt or deny replacement of a ubiquitous Bluetooth standard. Several reports have already claimed that popular mobile devices such as the iPhone may be implementing Wi-Fi Direct as early as summer 2010 with Apple’s next hardware refresh. The wireless networking industry will definitely entail some interesting reports to stay informed with in the coming months.
Last modified on 15 October 2009
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