Print this article | E-mail this article | Comment on this article

Microsoft Research Ships Wi-Fi Tool

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

October 18, 2005, 12:49 PM

Engineers at Microsoft Research have released a new software tool that enables a computer to connect to multiple Wi-Fi networks simultaneously. With VirtualWiFi, a single wireless card can appear multiple virtual WLAN cards. A user can then configure each to link to a different access point, computer or other device.

The application, which is a prototype project, could also be useful for network diagnostics and expanding the capacity of ad-hoc wireless networks. The 1.0 release of the software does not yet support WEP and has been designed to work with Windows XP. Download VirtualWiFi 1.0 from FileForum.

Add a Comment (3 Comments)

BetaNews reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Foul language and personal attacks will not be tolerated.

By GoodThings2Life

posted Oct 18, 2005 - 7:13 PM

I don't usually connect to more than one at a time, but I do like the thought of having multiple adapters setup to connect to each network and then using it as I travel from point to point... especially for diagnostics.

Score: 0

By hfshultz

posted Oct 18, 2005 - 3:47 PM

Could this work as a wifi bridge or repeater??? I'll have to test this.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Oct 18, 2005 - 3:04 PM

That's pretty cool. I can't see this being used too often, but I can remember a couple times when this functionality would have been helpful.

Very nice.

Score: 0

Aug 19 - 7:26 PM ET Palm's magic act makes Treo Pro 850 appear, disappear

Aug 19 - 7:18 PM ET Pandora: Last gasp for Internet radio can't be further prolonged

Aug 19 - 5:48 PM ET Has Firefox 3 certificate handling become too 'scary?'

Aug 19 - 3:35 PM ET Apple gives MobileMe subscribers more free time

Aug 19 - 3:23 PM ET Microsoft supports Blu-ray mastering in Windows; is Xbox next?

Aug 19 - 3:23 PM ET Japan says iPod nanos may pose overheating risk

Aug 19 - 1:49 PM ET Users to Microsoft: 'Just make Windows faster'

Aug 19 - 1:46 PM ET TSA-approved laptop bags: $220+

Aug 19 - 1:15 PM ET Apple releases iPhone 2.0.2 update, 3G problems remain

Aug 19 - 12:50 PM ET Google: Android-based HTC Dream may not be alone for long