A software access point is used when you want your computer to act as an access point for the local wireless network. It saves you the trouble of getting a separate wireless router.
In the above illustration, the Desktop is equipped with an Ethernet adapter (Adapter A) and a wireless adapter (Adapter B). Adapter B on the Desktop works as a soft AP, and it is NAT to adapter A. The Laptop can wirelessly connect to the Desktop (AP) as a client, and share the Desktop´s Internet connection.
To configure TL-WN321G/TL-WN727N as a soft AP, you have to use TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility (abbr. TWCU).
Actually, there are only two procedures needed to setup a soft AP:
1. Switch TL-WN321G/TL-WN727N from Station mode to Access Point mode.
2. NAT TL-WN321G/TL-WN727N to another adapter which has an Internet connection.
The following are detailed steps of the two procedures.
1. Switch TL-WN321G/TL-WN727N from Station mode to Access Point mode.
Step 1: Activate TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility.
Go to Start menu -> All Programs. Then find TP-LINK program folder, and click "TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility".
If the TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility is already running, you can see an icon on the right corner of the task bar.
Step 2: Right click TWCU icon, and select Switch to AP Mode.
2. NAT TL-WN321G/TL-WN727N to another adapter which has an Internet connection.
Step 3: After Step 2, you will see a small window popped out. For WAN Adapter Name option, please select the adapter which has the Internet connection from the dropdown menu.
Then click OK on the window.
Here until, all basic settings for setting up a soft AP are finished, and wireless clients can connect to this soft AP now.
Optional Settings
After Step 3, the TWCU icon will be changed like following:
You can open the TWCU window by double clicking the icon.
Config: All general settings of an AP are included on this tab. For example, you can change the SSID, channel and security of this AP.
Access Control: You can setup a wireless MAC address filtering list on this tab.
MAC Table: The MAC addresses of all connected clients are shown on this tab.
Event Log: Changes and AP events are listed on this tab.
Statistics: Display the statistics of transmitted and received packets.
If you have any further questions, please check the FAQ or contact TP-LINK technical support.