Hey everyone! I'm really trying to wrap my head around the differences between P2P networks, WiFi Direct networks, and ad-hoc networks. They all sound pretty similar to me, and I'm struggling to understand the subtle distinctions. Also, do these types of networks have anything to do with DHPC, DNS, or NAT? Thanks for your help!
1 Answer
P2P networks are all about direct connections between peers without a central server. Think of how BitTorrent works, where you're sharing and receiving bits of files from multiple users simultaneously. Ad-hoc networks are similar but tend to involve a temporary setup with a few devices talking directly to each other—like sending files between two phones. WiFi Direct is pretty much a specialized version of this, mainly for connecting devices, such as a laptop to a printer, without needing a router to facilitate the communication—all devices can connect directly. None of them really interact with DHCP, DNS, or NAT.
Thanks for clarifying that! Could you explain how WiFi Direct differs from Bluetooth on a more technical level? They seem quite similar!