Wi-Fi Direct is a universal technology that was developed with the aim of providing users with the ability to carry out full-fledged wireless network communication between several devices, as well as to perform high-speed data exchange, regardless of the presence of an access point (router). Help: Created by the Wi-Fi Alliance, also known as Wi-Fi Peer-to-Peer.
By analogy, use is similar to Bluetooth, but has a number of advantages:
- significant connection speed (250 Mbps);
- longer range (the ability to connect in places with poor connection);
- high degree of data protection (WPA2);
- simplicity of connection (without wires and incomprehensible numerous settings);
- the ability to connect literally all electronic devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets, TVs, cameras, printers, digital photo frames) and create one common network.
There is no main coordinator in the Wi-Fi Direct network (like a router in Wi-Fi connections), its role is "transitional" and depends on the power or functionality of the connected devices. Usually it can be a laptop, further on autonomy and peripherals: smartphone, tablet, printer, camera, etc.
Useful Wi-Fi Direct Features
Despite its simplicity, the technology is truly versatile and has two rational functions: Device Discovery and Service Discovery. In other words, they allow gadgets not only to integrate into a network without routers (access points, etc.), but also to predetermine their ability to work on the network. If you want to transfer a video file or a clip, in the list of connections only those devices that can play it will be available to you, which, you will agree, is very convenient.How to set up Wi-Fi Direct on an Android smartphone
- Turn on WiFi in your phone settings.
- Click on the Wi-Fi Direct icon (maybe at the bottom of the screen), start a search for available devices.
- Confirm the selection of the connected device. Ready!
The same steps need to be done with another device connected to the smartphone.
Tip: If you want to transfer files to your device, select Send via Wi-Fi Direct.
How to connect PC to TV via Wi-Fi Direct
- We open the instructions for the TV, using the section "How to connect to the router", we connect to the one to which the PC (or laptop) is connected.
- Next, we perform actions on the computer: "Network" - "Turn on network discovery and file sharing" - "Make the network private". In the window that appears, we see a list of all devices connected to this network. Choosing the right ones.
- We send files to the TV (read above for how to do this) and enjoy watching them on the big screen.
These instructions are general, standardized, but in principle, each TV model comes with step-by-step instructions with a Wi-Fi Direct section.
Note that Wi-Fi Direct technology is convenient both for home, non-professional use, and for work in offices and corporations (for transferring a large number of video, photo, audio files and presentation materials from smartphones ⁄ tablets ⁄ PCs to projectors, laptops, printers etc.).
Everyone already knows what Wi-Fi is, how it works and how to use it. After all, Wi-Fi is the main way to connect phones and other mobile devices to the Internet. But, in the characteristics of some gadgets, you can find such an option as Wi-Fi Direct, information about which is not so widespread. In this article, we will explain what Wi-Fi Direct is, what it is used for in phones, and how to enable and use it.
Wi-Fi Direct is a Wi-Fi-based standard that allows Wi-Fi devices to transfer data one to one without using a Wi-Fi hotspot or router. This means that two phones with Wi-Fi Direct support can connect and exchange data even where there is no Wi-Fi network. Before the advent of Wi-Fi Direct, this was not possible; Wi-Fi-enabled devices definitely needed a Wi-Fi network.
According to the logic of its operation, Wi-Fi Direct is very similar to Bluetooth. Indeed, in order to connect two devices via Bluetooth, you do not need any routers, access points or other additional devices that will serve the wireless connection. You just turn on Bluetooth, search and pair the devices. Wi-Fi Direct works roughly the same way.
At the same time, Wi-Fi Direct retains most of the advantages of conventional Wi-Fi networks, so it compares favorably with Bluetooth. Compared to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct technology provides: faster data transfer speed, longer range, and the ability to connect more than two devices at the same time.
The Wi-Fi Direct standard is developed by the WECA (Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance) group of companies. It is an alliance of wireless device manufacturers that develops standards for Wi-Fi networks (IEEE 802.11 specification).
What is Wi-Fi Direct for?
Wi-Fi Direct can be used to connect any devices that support this technology and need to exchange information. For example, Wi-Fi Direct can be used to:
- Connections of two phones;
- Printer connections;
- Keyboard or mouse connections;
- TV or projector connections;
- Camera or camcorder connections;
How to enable Wi-Fi Direct on your phone
In order to enable Wi-Fi Direct on a phone with Android 8.1 operating system, you need to open the settings, go to the "Network and Internet - Wi-Fi" section, turn on regular Wi-Fi there and go to the "Wi-Fi settings" subsection.
And go to "Wi-Fi Direct".
This will search for other Wi-Fi Direct devices.
Wi-Fi Direct, also called Peer-to-Peer, is an upper layer 7 protocol stack of the OSI model. In other words, a set of rules governing interaction with low-level program services that interface to the user. These standards are designed for direct device connection to each other, bypassing routing equipment, and allowing the establishment of complex decentralized structures.
Features of the technology and how it works
This technology uses modules familiar to everyone, operating at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies within the widespread 802.11 a / b / g / n specifications. In fact, this is a refinement of the SoftAP mode. A software access point is created and with the help of the same WPS others are tied to it.
The new standard maintains the same speed as the regular one, that is, up to 250 mb / s. Although at a lower speed, the bandwidth is more than sufficient for the most demanding content. The performance of the P2P space created depends on whether the hardware is 802.11 a, b or n and the profile of its electromagnetic environment (other sources of interference).
The range of Wi-Fi Direct is the same as that of a regular one - no more than 250 meters.
The number of members in a group united by the new protocol cannot be as large as in a star topology. Multiple links is provided only for some devices with this function, for example, smartphones. There are also those that can use only one channel.
Each gadget with this system automatically detects potential "interlocutors". It sends information with a list of its own services and receives similar signals from neighboring services, analyzing their contents. To establish a connection between the devices, it is enough to select the one you need from the list and by pressing the button. All equipment connected on a P2P basis are ranked according to processing power. The control is more often provided by those with higher productivity (laptops, mobile phones, game consoles). They possess enhanced administrative powers compared to digital cameras, printers, photo frames and other similar digital assistants. However, absolutely anything that works with P2P can initiate the creation of an appropriate environment. Moreover, devices with conventional modules can also be added here.
Digital assistants, for whom this new technology is native, can simultaneously reside both in their community and in the central infrastructure formed by the router. Multi-vector is optional and, for example, is typical for laptops and smartphones.
Also, any member of Wi-Fi Direct is able to access the Internet by connecting to the host, remaining in a common secure domain for everyone. Secure domain Is an area protected by the WPA2 certification program that uses the router's access point to access the Internet and manages it separately from the rest of the intranet.
Another participant cannot see the list of her contacts without the permission of someone else's operating system. The amount of information that is publicly available depends on the actual application that users are launching. So LAN games initially ask for permission to identify themselves and get the right to search for similar inclusions. The same can be said for photo and image services.
Advantages and disadvantages
Direct "communication" of all "smart" devices, gives a serious time savings. Obviously, sending something to print from a tablet directly using Wi-Fi Direct technology is much easier than throwing it onto a Windows 7/8/10 computer and then sending it to a USB printer. It is more convenient to show a photo or video from a phone using a large TV screen if it is sent immediately to its destination. Various photo frames, projectors are becoming more interactive, the online component for games is diversifying, and Internet access is more flexible.
To the disadvantages include the following:
- air clogging... There are a lot of multidirectional point-to-point "negotiations", they also add the periphery, which creates a mess in the air;
- questionable security in places saturated with digital technology (offices, shopping centers, train stations and airports). The multitude of signals creates a complex topology in which each participant has dozens of connection options and the ability to use neighbors as a proxy;
- Energy consumption... The signal strength places great demands on the power supply. Autonomy decreases;
- Availability special chip to initiate the subsystem.
Ordered signal streams
Exists two basic sets rules for the local circulation of large amounts of data. These are DLNA and Miracast. However, the latter is the most appropriate in this case. Leading manufacturers have developed a lot of programs for each of them. 
DLNA supports multimedia traffic: video, photo, music. For its operation in wireless mode, a central switch with an access point is required. The server is the transmitting device, on which a special program creates the server. The client simply displays the picture on the screen. So the DLNA software installed on the computer uses the central switch to use the large TV screen.
Miracast knows how to operate in the "point-to-point" mode and, in addition to providing transport to typical audio and video files, is able to stream the desktop image. The developers have provided functionality that ensures smooth playback of the video stream and the absence of desynchronization. The establishment of contact and the beginning of the exchange of signals occurs in a couple of touches. The video signal is broadcast using the H.264 codec in Full HD. Sound is processed in AC3 format in 5.1 format. A separate plus is the support of the standard by all smartphones equipped with the operating system starting from Android 4.2.
How to enable "Wi-Fi Direct"
You can make sure that the function is present by going to wireless settings on your Android phone. Usually the corresponding sub-item is displayed there. It is in the detailed menu of this subsection that you can find all possible connections, select the one you need and connect. Now the file circulation will become active in the explorer directly. 
WiFi Direct in Windows 10 is included in the network connection properties. We are looking for a device that supports this technology and connect to it.
While an anticipated step towards simplifying user operations with a variety of electronic gadgets, the technology remains crude. It certainly works, it can be used, and, in itself, it raises no objections. But the lack of software and the paucity of technology with a specialized chip undoubtedly postpones its widespread distribution. Let's hope that the time when finally order in this area will be restored is not far off.
If you do not yet have an access point (router) at home, but you have already acquired a modern TV with the Smart TV function and want to connect your smartphone or tablet to it, then you can use Wi-Fi Direct technology, which allows you to connect devices directly.
In this article I will try to write in detail about how to establish connections between two devices using the "Direct" technology. I will show on the example of an NTS smartphone on Android OS and an LG TV (32LN575U).
If we talk about why they should be connected, then there are several options. For example, to control a TV from your phone using LG's proprietary technology called TV Remote. I have already written about this technology and how to set everything up. Or to transfer media content from a smartphone to a TV, using DLNA technology (I will write about this later).
We need:
- Smartphone or tablet with Wi-Fi Direct support. You can look in the settings, where the management of Wi-Fi networks, etc.
- Wi-Fi Direct TV. You can find out about this in the specifications, call the manufacturer's support, or look in the settings.
Turn on Direct on your phone
Go to the settings and in the section "Wireless Connections and Networks" click on the “ More" (this is so on my HTC One V, you may call these settings differently)... Click on Wi-Fi direct, thereby enabling it. Confirm by turning on by clicking on Ok.
A message appears that the feature is enabled.
Okay, let's go to TV.
Launch Wi-Fi Direct on TV (LG)
Go to settings (there is a special button on the remote for this) and go to the tab Net... Then select the item "Wi-Fi Direct".
Wifi has become a novelty and turned everyone's head, but science does not stop at this discovery. Everyone is used to connecting to the Internet without any interfering wires for the computer and not waiting for ages while the mobile Internet downloads something to your phone. Now all of this technology is using Wi-Fi.
A small router that can distribute the Internet to several devices at the same time - these are the technologies of reality. This type of Internet access has already become a habit of the entire planet and it is difficult to imagine your life without using it. When we come to visit someone, our first question will be what is the name of the Wi-Fi access point and the password from it.
Wi-Fi Direct - a few words about technology
Now the Wi-Fi Direct wireless connection (also called Wi-fi Peer-to-Peer) is gaining popularity. Now it will be described in detail what kind of connection it is and how it should be included.
What is this new product for?
It is necessary to exclude the router from the data transmission chain. This means that you can connect one device to another without using a router. If you have no idea what Wi-Fi Direct is, then you need to remember how file transfer via Bluetooth took place. This novelty can be used on almost every new device. It is also possible to enable Wifi Direct on Windows 10. If you have a laptop, then this function will become very convenient.
Wifi direct windows 10 - how to enable
If the adapter supports this technology, then you can enable wifi direct on windows 10 by entering the properties of the network connection.
- Suppose your printer has such a function, then on a computer that supports it, we look for a network and select a printer as a network. You need to connect to it by entering a password. After that, you can safely start printing information. This is the main goal of the technology, which will help you connect directly without unnecessary headaches.
- You can also connect a TV and enjoy watching movies on the big screen without using the router. For such a connection, only a couple of factors are required: the presence of this function on both devices and on your PC, by sharing its folders.
- You can connect not only two devices, but also create entire groups of devices. So, for example, a laptop owner can be connected to a group and use this unique technology to distribute the Internet. There is nothing difficult in connecting, you only need to press one button.
Many computer users say with confidence that soon wifi will not be as popular as wifi direct. Its main advantage is considered to be connected in places with a problematic connection.
