Router is the most important instrument in computer networking. By definition, a router determines how information or data packets are passed from one device to another in most efficient manner. For setting up various network gadgets in your home/workplace, you have to buy a router to share the internet connection between devices.
A typical router may cost you anywhere between $30 to $150 (depending upon the specs). But Windows 7 has an excellent in-built utility, Wireless Hosted Network (Virtual Wifi) technology, that makes your computer a wireless access point and you can connect all your network devices by sharing a single internet connection thorough your computer or laptop.
How to setup a virtual router on Windows 7:
1. Open command prompt with Administrator privileges. You can do it by going to start menu, right clicking on command prompt and selecting ‘Run as administrator’.
2. Enter the following command:
This will create a wireless access-point with SSID of “Test”.
3. Open the Networks and Sharing Center. Select your mode of connecting to the internet (ethernet, wi-fi, cable etc.).
4. Enable sharing and select special ‘hosted’ interface and start it.
That’s it. You have just created a virtual router on your Windows 7 computer.
Error : “The hosted network could not be started”
“A device attached to the system is not functioning”