How to: Create a Wireless Ad-Hoc Network in Ubuntu

Sometimes, either when connected via a Wired Connection or USB Dongle, you may want to use your computers Wi-Fi to create a Network to share your internet connection over. Such networks are commonly referred to as Ad-Hoc, and we detail below some simple instructions on how to create one.

Create Wireless (Ad-Hoc) Network

First, we will start by clicking the Network menu, and disconnecting from any Wireless Networks. Most computers can't handle more than one wireless connection.

Second we will go to the same menu, and click Create New Wireless Network. Then you will need to enter a Network Name (Service Set Identifier, SSID), select Wireless Security (we recommend a WEP 128-bit Passphrase, the default), and enter a Passphrase.

Edit Network

Access the Network menu again, and click the bottom item, Edit Connections.

Then, select your newly created network and click Edit in the right-hand column.

From there, you can change the Network Name, Security Settings and Passphrase.

You can also modify more advanced settings like the Band and Channel, IPv4 and IPv6, MAC addresses, Basic SSID (BSSID), MTU, Automatic Connection (Creation), and the Availability of this to other users on your machine.

Delete Network

Much the same as Editing a Network, Deleting one simply requires you to click the network icon, choose Edit Connections, select the Network you wish to delete, and then clickDelete from the right-hand column.

Congratulations, you have just Created a Wireless (Ad-Hoc) Network in Ubuntu!