How to Build a Wireless Access Point Using Windows CE (Windows CE 5.0)
Windows CE enables you to build a Windows CE-based wireless access point (AP). You can create a Windows CE-based device that functions as a wireless gateway and access point and enables clients to connect to a wireless network.
Hardware and Software Requirements
This document makes the following assumptions:
- Your Platform Builder installation includes CEPC x86 and Emulator x86 board support packages.
- You have a CEPC already configured. For more information, see How to Set Up a CEPC and How to Use the IDE to Create, Customize, and Build a Run-Time Image.
- The computers you are using for this scenario are connected to an existing public network through a hub.
The following table shows the devices that are required for this network.
| Device name and function | Software | Configured as |
|---|---|---|
| Development workstation | Windows 2000 Professional Edition or later with Microsoft Windows CE Platform Builder installed. | Host computer for CEPC and wireless AP client |
| CEPC | Windows CE 5.0 or later | Wireless access point |
| Client computer with wireless network card | Windows 2000 Professional Edition or later | Wireless client computer |
Additional Hardware Requirements
The following table shows the additional hardware you must have to use the wireless access point.
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Wireless network adapter for client device. | 1 |
| Wireless AP network adapter for CEPC. This document uses an RTL 8180 Native Wi-Fi AP network adapter for reference.** | 1 |
| Additional wired network adapter for CEPC. This document uses an NE 2000-compatible network adapter for reference.** | 1 |
**The non-Microsoft software and hardware referenced in this document are included for illustrative purposes only.
Illustrations that use such third-party software and hardware as examples are not intended to be an endorsement or recommendation of any of these products.
This example uses Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 or earlier to connect to the wireless access point. Some of the procedures may be different in Service Pack 2.
We provide this information only as a convenience for our customers for purposes of explaining a practical application and do not provide warranties of any kind, whether express, implied or statutory, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose.
To track your progress in the following table, select the check box next to each step.
| Step | Topic | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Create an OS design for a wireless access point. | Creating an OS Design for a Wireless Access Point | |
| 2. Configure the access point registry. | Configuring the Access Point Registry | |
| 3. Prepare to build the Access Point run-time image.
Choose the Release configuration. |
Levels of Debugging Support | |
4. Build the OS design into a run-time image.
|
Not applicable. | |
| 5. Download your run-time image to the CEPC. | Downloading a Run-Time Image | |
| 6. Configure your access point using the Web-based configuration page. | Using the Remote Configuration Tool to Configure the Access Point | |
| 7. Connect a wireless client to your access point. | Connecting a Client to the Wireless Access Point |
See Also
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