Nexus 7 - WiFi Ad-Hoc fix for wpa_supplicant?

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mewshi

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2009
73
11
Wifi Tether for Root Users on the phone has had infrastructure mode for ages now. Most phones will support it, especially any 'older' ones with a large base.

I kind think that ad-hoc wifi as a way to get online is... lackluster, at best...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
 
C

cloudwatcher

Member
Jul 2, 2010
14
1
My excellent ad hoc adventure

Trying to get my N7 working with my ancient (WM6) phone's ad hoc wifi was my mission - but like lots of people, no joy.

Turned out it wasn't really necessary (neither was unlocking or rooting my N7, but what's done is done, oh well :D)

Simple answer: Bluetooth networking.

Built in to the WM6 phone. Built into the N7. No apps needed on either device. Just set up a networking connection on the phone and paired it with the N7.

Only tested with Chrome, but it works fine, and since android shows the connection as "Connected to device for Internet access" I expect it should work as well as wifi, if not quite as fast. But it's only a 3G phone anyway, so realistically it's good enough for occasional use, which is all I wanted anyway.

Don't know if this will help too many other folks but just thought I'd share...
 
W

wildpig1234

Senior Member
May 31, 2008
254
9
cloudwatcher said:
Trying to get my N7 working with my ancient (WM6) phone's ad hoc wifi was my mission - but like lots of people, no joy.

Turned out it wasn't really necessary (neither was unlocking or rooting my N7, but what's done is done, oh well :D)

Simple answer: Bluetooth networking.

Built in to the WM6 phone. Built into the N7. No apps needed on either device. Just set up a networking connection on the phone and paired it with the N7.

Only tested with Chrome, but it works fine, and since android shows the connection as "Connected to device for Internet access" I expect it should work as well as wifi, if not quite as fast. But it's only a 3G phone anyway, so realistically it's good enough for occasional use, which is all I wanted anyway.

Don't know if this will help too many other folks but just thought I'd share...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse


Not too disappoint you but did you read an earlier post in this topic? BT DUN doesn't work for many apps.

---------- Post added at 06:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 AM ----------

So is this it? Has Google finally able to thwart any and all attempt from here on at adding ad hoc support? I imagine that they will now continue to carry this on to the next over of android.

Personally, I am willing to pay someone for their time and effort if they can develops a working solution to adding ad hoc back to jelly bean.
 
ROLY5573

ROLY5573

Senior Member
Oct 26, 2010
60
6
Essex
Redmi Note 10 Pro
Just as a mention:
My Ainol Novo7 AuroraV3 Stock Rom, already rooted, out of the box, runnung Android 4.0.3, finds and connects to ad-hoc networks. I have made no alterations to this tablet.
 
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FitAmp

FitAmp

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2012
1,424
681
28
Terrace
I believe a kernel needs to be compiled with the ad hoc module. I could be wrong though

Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
 
C

CARUPANBOW

Member
Jan 22, 2013
24
8
JB 4.2.2 wont let me connect with my previous method

emgo said:
Take a look here http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=37613938#post37613938 CARUPANBOW has Ad Hoc working on the Nexus 7. We just need to find a way to have WiFi working at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CARUPANBOW said:
Just a quick heads up

I've updated my n7 to rootbox v2.0 (comes with JB 4.2.2) and now I cannot connect it to my hotspot with my previous method, after checking my /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf file now shows this line:

network={
ssid="JOIKUSPOT"
.
.
disabled=1
}

What the heck does this mean? seems to be that the more I update my tablet the harder is getting to connect it to my ad hoc network, this makes me think maybe google wants to erradicate ad hoc wifi support from the OS, to me this is dumbest thing I ever heard since this tablet is WIFI only, isn't supposed to support ANY wifi network it finds in order to work properly? other OS like iOS or Symbian does still support it. Just the fact that i cannot use my tablet the way I want it to is very disappointing, and now I face two options: 1) Downgrade the tablet and never let it update again. 2) Install ubuntu and never again install android.

Im very sorry to say this but this is my first android device and my experience with it is very unsatisfactory, sometimes I wish I could get a refund and try the iPad mini or wait for any decent windows rt tablet.

For now I think i'm going for my option 2, tomorrow ubuntu will release the tablet version of their OS for the nexus 7, ill check it out and ill tell you my experience with it.

Please, if someone knows any of the senior contributors/developers of this community, please make them notice this issue, its almost unbelievable that ad hoc support haven't been fixed from android since issue #82, the original linux kernel supports it, and then google stripped it out and nobody got a response about this in the forums/groups, I know this is not an easy task, cause the android SDK doesnt support it either, also that you have to add the IBSS driver into the kernel and patch the wpa_supplicant file to stop filtering ad hoc networks, I still dont know if many people have requested this feature why even the modding community for android havent come with a concrete solution for this, there are a lot of kernel modders out there and I could find only one kernel that would work for me. I have to say that the most frustrating part of this situation is the lack of answers from the forums, I know this post already reached 1000 views, this means there's people still looking for an answer like me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Im sorry to say this but we need help from someone who knows about kernel modding, also anyone who can give us an updated patched wpa_supplicant each time google updates the OS, and seems to be they actively are removing ad hoc support and even restricting it in each update. I cant confirm this but its the feel i got from my experience trying various ICS/JB versions / custom roms / custom kernels.
 
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C

CARUPANBOW

Member
Jan 22, 2013
24
8
pssecretajent said:
[MOD]Adhoc WIFI support for Android JellyBean (Tested
by me with JoikuSpot)
try it ll work surly

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2163363
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thank you very much for your reply, but sadly I have already tested that wpa_supplicant in your post without success, I was able to connect to my Joikuspot too until I upgraded to JB 4.2.2, Im sure your tablet manufacturer added IBSS support into the kernel and you can connect normally to ad hoc networks, however I need an android kernel with the IBSS drivers installed in the nexus 7 kernel besides a patched wpa_supplicant in order to connect to ad hoc networks, and sadly google is not answering to anyone for this issue.
 
C

CARUPANBOW

Member
Jan 22, 2013
24
8
Finally!

I found this custom rom (cm10 - 4.2.2 based) that has full IBSS support:

http://b-real.org/2013/ad-hoc-ibss-mode-support-for-android-4-2-2-with-cyanogenmod/
http://www.thinktube.com/android-tech/46-android-wifi-ibss

Here we provide information, patches and a few system images to support Ad-Hoc (IBSS) mode. We base our additions on CyanogenMod 10.1-M2 (Android 4.2.2 JDQ39).

Our goal is to bring the missing Ad-Hoc (IBSS) mode to Android, in a way that is completely integrated into the Android system API and user-interface. Users should be able to create and connect to Ad-Hoc networks from the standard user interface (Settings – WiFi) and Applications should have an API to configure their “own” Ad-Hoc network. We believe this will help people who need more capability than WiFi Direct and can extend diverse usages of Android mobile devices.

To achieve this, we have modified the WLAN driver “bcmdhd”, extended the Android framework, the public Android API and added the missing parts to the “Settings” application. At this moment only Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7 devices are supported and tested, but the same kernel modifications can be made to a number of devices and the UI will automatically show Ad-Hoc mode options when the driver supports it.

We have submitted these changes to CyanogenMod and Google AOSP Gerrit and provide this page for further information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I have tested it on my nexus 7 and it can detect my nokia hotspot (joikuspot) flawlessly :)
 
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W

wikid24

Senior Member
Jun 6, 2011
51
9
CARUPANBOW said:
I found this custom rom (cm10 - 4.2.2 based) that has full IBSS support:

http://b-real.org/2013/ad-hoc-ibss-mode-support-for-android-4-2-2-with-cyanogenmod/
http://www.thinktube.com/android-tech/46-android-wifi-ibss



I have tested it on my nexus 7 and it can detect my nokia hotspot (joikuspot) flawlessly :)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Thank you Carupbanbow! I just found out about the patch today! It will be merged into the Cyanogen Nightlies as of tomorrow!

Also can you please post if you are using CyanogenMod OR stock rom OR an alternative rom?

http://www.thinktube.com/android-tech/46-android-wifi-ibss
 
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CARUPANBOW

Member
Jan 22, 2013
24
8
wikid24 said:
Thank you Carupbanbow! I just found out about the patch today! It will be merged into the Cyanogen Nightlies as of tomorrow!

Also can you please post if you are using CyanogenMod OR stock rom OR an alternative rom?

http://www.thinktube.com/android-tech/46-android-wifi-ibss
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hi

I'm currently using the custom cm10.1 rom image supplied here: http://www.thinktube.com/files/android-ibss/cm-10.1-20130310-UNOFFICIAL-grouper.zip but i'm waiting to install the latest stable CyanogenMod with the IBSS patch as soon it gets online :)
 
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bftb0

Senior Member
Feb 5, 2010
2,594
1,041
Fresh News 3/25

Thanks for the heads up!

Merged into cm-10.1 branch TODAY - 3/25.

Anybody know off the top of their head if this will get into tonight's nightly build, or should I wait a full 24 hrs?

Ad-Hoc would be enough to finally make me give up rooted stock as daily driver.
 
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bftb0

Senior Member
Feb 5, 2010
2,594
1,041
Oops. I guess I didn't look at that CM code review status page carefully - it's for Samsung Galaxy devices.

However, it looks like the same patches are also submitted & under review for grouper CM 10.1
 
B

bftb0

Senior Member
Feb 5, 2010
2,594
1,041
Bump!

Ad-hoc WiFi is now in the CM10.1 Nightly builds for grouper. Now I can leave the house with the N7 without buying coffee!

Just tested CM10.1 20130416-Nightly against my GB Android phone running Android Wireless Tether 2.0.8 pre-1.

Seems to work just fine, yay!
 
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CARUPANBOW

Member
Jan 22, 2013
24
8
Nice! I'll try it when I get back home :) I was still using the custom cyanogen mod version provided by thinktube.com
 
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    R
    rdelfin
    Super dooper!

    Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I have finally managed to have my Nexus 7 access the internet through my non-regular-wifi-but-adhoc-phone data connection!! YAY!! and best of all, I'm almost certain that no rooting and unlocking is needed!! (99% sure of this since my device is rooted and unlocked but nothing seemed to indicate that the solution described below requires it).

    The connection is made possible through bluetooth tethering by using a special app you can download from the Google Play Store for free. So this means you're not even using adhoc wi-fi but a bluetooth link between your phone and the tablet that is established by this app through the "DUN" profile (bluetooth).

    Here are the steps:

    1. Access the Google Play Store in your Nexus 7 and download & install the app "BlueVPN" (this app was developed with Ice Cream Sandwich in mind, but luckily it works on JellyBean making our Nexi 7s 100% compatible.
    2. Both on your phone and in your tablet, do whatever needs to be done to create a pairing bluetooth relationship between these two devices (no need to look for a "connection active" message, just the pairing registered in both devices is enough).
    3. Turn wi-fi off in your tablet.
    4. Execute BlueVPN in your tablet and a list will appear with all the bluetooth devices that your tablet has been registered to will be presented. From this list, select the item that refers to the phone.
    5. Allow for the app to do its thing: negotiating a connection, the handshake, etc... and at the end, you should receive the message that a connection between both devices has been established successfully.
    6. Voilá, it's on baby! :cool:

    NOW, before anyone starts *****ing and whining, here are the caveats of this tethering method:
    • Yes, the throughput of data you get with bluetooth tethering is smaller than the one you get with Wi-fi tethering, making your 3g connection feel slower in your tablet (not as slow as browsing on your phone on EDGE, but not as fast as when browsing on HSPA+. You know what I mean?)
    • This connection feeds the internet to your tablet through a "bluetooth socket", NOT a wifi one, and thus, this makes some apps in the tablet "think" that no network connection is present (which is technically true). What do I mean with this? For those apps that only require access to the internet in a straight forward manner, everything will work fine, such as using the web browser app, the facebook app, etc. HOWEVER other apps that EXPECT to receive data through the "wifi socket" will complain saying "not network connection available" like Google Wallet among other specialized apps. One peculiar case is the Google Play Store app: you will be able to BROWSE the store, but you won't be able to DOWNLOAD/PURCHSAE apps into your device. As for the two email apps, the "regular email" client works as usual (receiving emails, sending emails, pushed notifications of new emails), however the specialized Gmail client DOES not (hey, you can always use the regular client configuring it with your gmail account should this be something you need).

    To end this on a positive note, the good news is that bluetooth tethering does not consume as much battery power when idle as with wifi tethering, this means, that you can have your phone and your tablet in your bag linked and you won't drain your battery as fast as it happens when using hotspot tethering. And also, the non-requirement of rooting/unlocking I mentioned earlier :p

    Yes, I'm aware that this may not be a total satisfactory solution to our problem but AT LEAST now our Nexi-7 have the ability to be connected when no wi-fi is around and we only have our phones to the rescue.

    And finally, the disclaimer: proceed at your own risk, which here is practically non-existent, but still, this solution presented here is meant only as informational and I can't be liable for anything that might go wrong, OK? :silly:

    Enjoy!!!!! :cyclops:
    View
    2
    C
    CARUPANBOW
    Finally!

    I found this custom rom (cm10 - 4.2.2 based) that has full IBSS support:

    http://b-real.org/2013/ad-hoc-ibss-mode-support-for-android-4-2-2-with-cyanogenmod/
    http://www.thinktube.com/android-tech/46-android-wifi-ibss

    Here we provide information, patches and a few system images to support Ad-Hoc (IBSS) mode. We base our additions on CyanogenMod 10.1-M2 (Android 4.2.2 JDQ39).

    Our goal is to bring the missing Ad-Hoc (IBSS) mode to Android, in a way that is completely integrated into the Android system API and user-interface. Users should be able to create and connect to Ad-Hoc networks from the standard user interface (Settings – WiFi) and Applications should have an API to configure their “own” Ad-Hoc network. We believe this will help people who need more capability than WiFi Direct and can extend diverse usages of Android mobile devices.

    To achieve this, we have modified the WLAN driver “bcmdhd”, extended the Android framework, the public Android API and added the missing parts to the “Settings” application. At this moment only Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7 devices are supported and tested, but the same kernel modifications can be made to a number of devices and the UI will automatically show Ad-Hoc mode options when the driver supports it.

    We have submitted these changes to CyanogenMod and Google AOSP Gerrit and provide this page for further information.
    Click to expand...
    Click to collapse

    I have tested it on my nexus 7 and it can detect my nokia hotspot (joikuspot) flawlessly :)
    View
    1
    W
    wikid24
    Update March 25, 2013:

    Solved!! The folks over at Thinktube Inc. have developed a fix and submitted it to CyanogenMod and AOSP for merging into their code:
    http://b-real.org/2013/ad-hoc-ibss-m...h-cyanogenmod/
    http://www.thinktube.com/android-tech/46-android-wifi-ibss

    Essentially the EASIEST solution is to ROOT your phone, and install the CyanogenMod nightly as of March 25 or later (note: you will have to wait until the nightly is actually BUILT, since as of today it is not ready yet).

    I have not tested this solution out myself, however others within this thread have confirmed it working.

    Please if anyone develops a easier patch or a step-by-step for people who do NOT want to use CyanogenMod, post and I will update the OP

    Cheers!
    WiKiD24

    -------------------------------------------------------
    Update Oct 9, 2012:

    - Nexus 7 v4.1.2 did not add Wi-Fi Ad-Hoc Support with the stock update from Google.
    To do: Check if any WPA-Supplicant changes previously tested in v4.1.1 now work in 4.1.2

    - Workaround (Recommended): Bluetooth Tethering to Nexus 7 Tablet (via Bluetooth DUN Profile). "BlueVPN" from Google Play Store.
    Tested successfully on many Nokia Symbian phones (N7, E71, E72), and others.
    However, many applications on Nexus 7 Tablet do not support it (without fixes from the developers)

    Confirmed working applications:
    - Pulse
    - Google Chrome
    - Dolphin Browser
    - Facebook
    - Ebuddy
    - Youtube
    - Others (I am too lazy to add them all)

    Confirmed NOT working applications:
    - Gmail
    - Email
    - Google Search
    - Google Play Store
    - Dropbox
    - Words with Friends
    - Scramble with Friends
    - Others (I am too lazy to add them all)

    More details can be found here: http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=29763582&postcount=27

    Issue: Sometimes the phone/tablet do not connect (randomly), due to issues with either the phone or the tablet.
    To resolve: Turn on and off bluetooth on phone, Turn on & off bluetooth on tablet. Try again. If does not work, reboot phone and tablet and try again. Should work.

    -Workaround: Android Phone to Nexus 7 Tablet (via "FoxFI" App on Phone, "FoxFi Addon" App on Tablet, or via "PDANet", or via "Wireless Tether App")

    http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=29763582&postcount=27

    - Workaround: USB Tethering ANY Phone to Nexus 7 Tablet (via "PPP Widget" App on Tablet, requires rooted Nexus 7)

    http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=32431103&postcount=51

    - Workaround: Windows WiFi Laptop Tethering to Nexus 7 Tablet
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klHzMyYFGeQ
    -------------------------------------------------------
    Hi All,

    I've just recently gotten a Nexus 7 and need to be able to enable Ad-Hoc wifi on the tablet.

    I also own a Asus TF101 and previously had the same problem however there was a fix for that.

    The solution was to replace the wpa_supplicant file in the /system/bin folder, however I do not know the code to change it.

    If anyone has the technical know-how, they would be able to reverse-engineer it and apply the same fix.
    http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1370955
    http://szym.net/2010/12/adhoc-wifi-in-android/
    http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/2752...less-hotspots/
    http://www.olsr.org/?q=olsr_on_android
    http://hostap.epitest.fi/gitweb/gitw...upplicant.conf
    View
    1
    W
    wikid24
    here's some more useful information for enabling ad hoc:

    http://szym.net/2010/12/adhoc-wifi-in-android/

    http://www.slatedroid.com/topic/27522-howto-connect-to-ad-hoc-wireless-hotspots/

    http://www.olsr.org/?q=olsr_on_android

    http://hostap.epitest.fi/gitweb/git...ob_plain;f=wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf

    I'm doing what I can right now to try and enable it.

    Some more experienced android users whom know what they're doing would be better than me trying it out, though!!
    View
    1
    B
    bftb0
    Bump!

    Ad-hoc WiFi is now in the CM10.1 Nightly builds for grouper. Now I can leave the house with the N7 without buying coffee!

    Just tested CM10.1 20130416-Nightly against my GB Android phone running Android Wireless Tether 2.0.8 pre-1.

    Seems to work just fine, yay!
    View

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