- Connectify
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Connectify 
Developer(s) Connectify Initial release December 2009 [1] Stable release 3.0.0 / August 22, 2011 Development status Active Operating system Windows Available in English Type Software router
SoftAPLicense Closed source (Windows) Website www.connectify.me Connectify is a Windows software application developed by Connectify that creates a software-only hotspot (Access Point) on a Windows PC with Wi-Fi device. This enables users to share files, printers, and internet connections between multiple PCs or other computing devices, without the need for a separate physical access point or router.
Simple personal area networking via ad-hoc mode has been built-in to Windows since Windows XP.[2] Other competing products that offer this kind of capability include Virtual Router and WM WifiRouter.
Contents
History
According to Connectify CEO and founder Alex Gizis, back in 2009, the development team was testing wireless networking hardware at an Army base. Their hardware technology was driving Humvees wirelessly over miles, but the team itself was juggling USB drives to sneakernet files between Windows laptops. For the next trip out, they brought a hardware router, but the bulk of that extra gear, and the need to plug it in, became an issue. To address this need, they developed the original Connectify application.[3]
Business Model
Connectify is released on the Freemium model, similar to the sales strategies used by Dropbox, Evernote, and Pandora Radio.[4]
The free Connectify "Lite" license delivers basic Wi-Fi Hotspot functionality. Some things are limited; for example, the SSID name of a free hotspot will always start with "Connectify-". Additional paid "Pro" features include wireless repeater capability, more complete 3G/4G network sharing, automatic configuration features, firewall controls, and priority tech support.
Technology
Virtual Access Point
Connectify creates an infrastructure mode personal area network by creating an access point using a PC's own Wi-Fi device. This functions the same as any dedicated access point/router, but as a Windows application, may be easier for the average person to use. In addition, Connectify can be set up to route internet traffic from the personal area network though one of that PC's interfaces.
The limitation is that this must be a Window 7 PC with a current WHQL driver certified for Windows 7. Older drivers or older versions of Windows will not permit the Wifi device to operate in AP mode. Windows 7 PCs without current drivers can use Connectify via a supported USB Wi-Fi device, if necessary.
Sharing Wifi to Wifi
Connectify takes advantage of Windows 7's Virtual Wifi [5] mechanism, allowing a single Wifi connection to be split into two virtual networks, one the local access point, one the backhaul to the internet. This, however, requires a Wifi device with virtual Wifi support. As with access point support, this is a feature new to Windows 7.
Reception
Connectify has been well generally well reviewed by the press. Positive reviews have appeared in Lifehacker,[6] PC World,[7] GigaOM,[8] Engadget,[9] ReadWriteWeb,[10] TechRepublic,[11] Maximum PC,[12] IT Reviews,[13] and MakeUseOf.[14] Most users seem to be fairly happy with it as well.[15]
Some general criticism is that Connectify potentially does an end run around IT Department policies by allowing unauthorized devices access to a secure wireless network, albeit through an authorized device. Similar issues have been raise around Connectify being used to allow multiple devices onto a single paid Wi-Fi connection.
Some articles have complained about the non-support of some wireless devices, including many Intel cards,[16] though no instance of a fully WHQL Windows 7 device not being supported was stated (note: this might be fixed by now, by Intel[17]).
User complaints include: limitations of the free version (particularly, the SSID naming rule), lack of support for older security models like WEP and WPA, or lack of any no-security option (Connectify supports only WPA2). Windows XP and Vista users complain that it only works in Ad-Hoc mode. Some gamers on the Sony Playstation 3 and older Nintendo devices have had problems. Another complaint is that the SSID cannot be hidden.[18] Some users reported crashing/BSOD, particularly with older versions.[19] More typical problems seem to be interaction/blockage by PC-based firewalls.[20]
See also
- Virtual WiFi Router
- Virtual Router
- WM WifiRouter
- Ad Hoc Internet Sharing with Microsoft Windows XP
- Bzeek
- Connectify Alternatives and Similar Software
References
- ^ Vilches, Jose (22 December 2009). "Wi-Fi sharing utility Connectify 1.0 launches, remains free". http://www.techspot.com/news/37410-wifi-sharing-utility-connectify-10-launches-remains-free.html.
- ^ "Ad Hoc Internet Sharing with Microsoft Windows XP". http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=13190.
- ^ "The Birth of Connectify". http://www.connectify.me/about-us.
- ^ Liz Gannes. "Case Studied in Freemium: Pandora, Dropbox, Evernote, Automattic and MailChimp". http://gigaom.com/2010/03/26/case-studies-in-freemium-pandora-dropbox-evernote-automattic-and-mailchimp.
- ^ Rupley, Sebastian (29 October 2009). "Connectify Is Early Evidence of Why Win7's "Virtual Wi-Fi" Matters". http://gigaom.com/2009/10/29/connectify-is-early-evidence-of-why-win7s-virtual-wi-fi-matters. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
- ^ http://lifehacker.com/5395199/connectify-restores-wi+fi-hotspot-powers-to-windows-7
- ^ Gregg Keizer. "Unfinished Windows 7 Feature Turns Laptops Into Wi-Fi Hotspots". http://www.pcworld.com/article/181046/unfinished_windows_7_feature_turns_laptops_into_wifi_hotspots.html.
- ^ http://gigaom.com/2009/10/29/connectify-is-early-evidence-of-why-win7s-virtual-wi-fi-matters/
- ^ http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/unfinished-windows-7-feature-exploited-for-virtual-wifi-hotspots/
- ^ http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_turn_your_windows_7_computer_into_a_wireles.php
- ^ Mah, Paul. "Create a Wi-Fi Access Point using Connectify". http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/networking/create-a-wi-fi-access-point-using-connectify/2591.
- ^ Mark Edward Soper. "How-To: Turn Your Windows 7 PC into a Wireless Access Point". http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_turn_your_windows_7_pc_wireless_access_point.
- ^ Kelvyn Taylor. "Connectify - Connectify 1.1 review". http://www.itreviews.com/software/utilities-and-tools/connectify-connectify-11.
- ^ Simon Slangen. "Create A Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot Using Connectify & A Windows 7 Laptop". http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-mobile-wifi-hotspot-connectify-windows-7-laptop.
- ^ "CNET:Connectify User Reviews". http://download.cnet.com/Connectify/3000-18508_4-75024171.html.
- ^ Remo Knops. "Connectify review - Turn your Windows 7 laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot". http://www.mobilityminded.com/5788/connectify-review-turn-your-windows-7-laptop-into-a-wi-fi-hotspot.
- ^ Long Zheng. "Latest Intel drivers add Windows 7 Virtual WiFi support". http://www.istartedsomething.com/20091106/latest-intel-drivers-windows-7-virtual-wifi-support.
- ^ "Connectify Facebook Forum". http://www.facebook.com/connectify.
- ^ "CNET: Connectify". http://download.cnet.com/Connectify/3000-18508_4-75024171.html.
- ^ "Firewalls and Connectify". http://connectifyhowto.blogspot.com/2011/02/firewalls-and-connectify.html.
Further reading
External links
Categories:- Windows software
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