Note: This article is special for TL-WN322G V1 & TL-WN422G V1.
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, PC1 is equipped with an Ethernet adapter (Adapter A) and a wireless adapter (Adapter B). Adapter B on PC1 works as a soft AP, and it is bridged to adapter A. PC2 can wirelessly connect to PC1 to share PC1´s Internet connection.
To configure TL-WN322G/TL-WN422G as a soft AP, you have to use TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility (abbr. TWCU). Since TWCU can not run on Vista, TL-WN322G/TL-WN422G can not be configured as a soft AP on Vista.
Actually, there are only two procedures needed to setup a soft AP:
1. Configure the wireless adapter to work at Access Point mode.
2. Bridge the wireless adapter to another adapter which has an Internet connection.
The following are detailed steps of the two procedures.
1. Configure the wireless adapter to work at Access Point mode.
Step 1: Open TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility.
Method 1 Right click the icon on the right corner of the task bar, and click ?B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Open Utility Window?
Method 2 Go to Start menu -> All Programs. Then find TP-LINK program folder, and click “TP-LINK Wireless Client Utility?
Step 2: On the utility window, make the Mode as Access Point, and click More Settings.
2. Bridge the wireless adapter to another adapter which has an Internet connection.
Step 3: Go to Bridge Adapter option. Select an adapter from the drop down menu whose Internet connection supposed to be shared. Then close the window.
Here until, all the basic settings have been finished. Other computers can wirelessly connect to this soft AP now.
Optional settings
General Connection Setting: Change the wireless mode, channel and the SSID of the soft AP.
Authentication & WEP: Change the WEP encryption settings.
MAC Address Filter: Setup a wireless MAC filtering list.
If you have any further questions, please check the FAQ or contact TP-LINK technical support.