SUCCESS! Wireless tether in AP Mode (NOT ad-hoc) + WPA2 Encryption

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UPDATE 8-24:

I decided to update the OP since there seems to be alot of uncertianty and questions in this thread.

Most of the info in this thread is obsolete. If you are running ANY of the latest roms / kernels, SOFTAP is already compiled in, and all you have to do is download the latest version of WIRELESS TETHER FOR ROOT USERS. Download it from the project site, NOT THE MARKET. As of this post, the most recent version in the market does NOT support AP mode / WPA2! You have to get it from the developer's website.

If you are still running a stock 2.1 rom, then the following information might benefit you. Otherwise, head on over to the developers website: http://code.google.com/p/android-wif...2&q=Incredible

and download the latest version. NO android.tether folder needed!!!!!! Install, and enjoy access point mode and WPA2 encryption!


--samwathegreat


OLD POST:

Hello fellow XDA-ers!

As many of you know, the latest version of wireless tether for root users allows you to tether in access-point mode rather than ad-hoc mode.

If you're aware of this, you're probably also aware that the stock HTC incredible kernel doesn't allow for AP mode, so even if you install the latest version, it will still continue to broadcast in ad-hoc mode (yuck!).

I've gone to the trouble of re-compiling the stock kernel with CONFIG_BCM4329_SOFTAP enabled (which allows for AP mode tethering)! My kernel is 100% identical to the stock htc kernel except for this one change to allow for AP mode. No other changes of any kind. No overclock or undervolt.

If you are running a cm6 OR skyraider rom, OR the leaked OTA, this functionality is already built into the respective kernel. Don't use my kernel if you're running one of these roms.

Also, some of the latest hydra kernels have support compiled in. If you are using hydra kernel, check the changelog on the developers website to see if your version has support.

Instructions:

1. NANDROID BACKUP!
2. Download my ap-inc.zip file and extract
3. Copy the tether_ap_kernel_inc-signed.zip AND the wireless tether apk file to your sdcard.
4. Reboot into recovery, and choose "Install zip file from sdcard", and choose the tether_ap_kernel_inc-signed.zip file.
5. Choose "Reboot Now"
6. When booted back up, install (or update) the supplied wireless tether apk file.

DONE! Now, when you use the wireless tether app, your phone will operate in access-point mode instead of ad-hoc! Additionally, instead of using WEP encryption, WPA2 encryption is now supported instead!!!!

Enjoy!!!!

Please note:
Credit for this goes to:

Myself (samwathegreat) - for re-compiling the stock kernel to allow AP mode
"Koush" - for supplying the means and instructions for creating a kernel update.zip file, and signing with test keys
And of course, the developers of wireless tether for root users.

You may NOT re-post or re-distribute these files and instructions without giving credit to the above individuals/groups.

Get the file here: www 4shared.com/file/uSjHGKnd/ap-inc html



EDIT: Forgot to mention:

1. This kernel is ONLY for the HTC Incredible. Don't try it on another device unless you really want a new paperweight.

2. You will still need to have the fw_bcm4329.bin file in the android.tether folder of your sd-card. Most likely, you already copied this file to the appropriate location when you rooted your phone. If someone has problems getting ahold of the fw_bcm4329.bin file, let me know and I'll post it. EDIT: this file is posted on page 2.

3. Once again: DO NOT use this kernel if you are running skyraider, cm6, or the leaked OTA! You don't need it.


EDIT 7-31-2010:

Due to lots of questions surrounding the latest 2.2 Froyo OTA Leaks, I decided to add this info (from page 12) to the OP:

Originally Posted by samwathegreat
This tutorial is ONLY for 2.1 roms BEFORE the 720p / mobile hotspot leaked OTA. If you are running the 2.1 OTA that includes 720p recording and mobile hotspot, this will still work without applying the kernel I posted.

Wireless tether will NOT work in AP mode in ANY of the latest leaked froyo builds. It may appear to work, but it is in fact not broadcasting, so you can't connect. You have a couple of options:

1. Use wireless tether 2.0.2 in ad-hoc mode
2. Modify the settings in the included 3g mobile hotspot such that it works without paying verizon an extra $20 bux a month.

The problem / reason we can't compile a kernel that supports ap mode for these roms is that HTC has not released the source code. The older kernels are incompatible with the latest roms. We will see more development in this area when the source code becomes available.

i currently have the 2.0.2 wireless tether working on my htc incredible. could someone explain the benefits of making the latest version of wireless tether, i think it's 2.0.5, run in access point mode rather than ad-hoc mode? i don't really know the advantages/disadvantages of the different modes..

The main advantage is that AP mode will (should...) allow ANY wifi device to connect.

With the old ad-hoc method, many devices such as nintendo ds, ipod touch, etc. could not connect.

Also, I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with dd-wrt and other custom router firmwares and their functions/benefits, but if you have a router running dd-wrt, and are familiar with the client / client bridge / repeater / repeater bridge modes, then you know that these modes will NOT work in ad-hoc mode.

With this new AP functionality, you can set your dd-wrt router to repeat your phone's SSID, OR use a router as a client bridge for your desktop computer or other device.

These are just a couple of benefits of AP mode. Many people probably have no use for much of this, but simply being able to connect almost any device (which was previously impossible with ad-hoc) is a huge benefit in and of itself.

Anyone else, please feel free to post additional benefits of using wireless tether in AP mode.

-samwathegreat

AP mode works with all devices that support wifi. Adhoc typically only works with pc. Also adhoc can do only 1 device at a time. (ap mode can do many)

Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

the337: Also forgot to mention that another great benefit is that, with the new kernel, WPA2 encryption is supported instead of WEP. Wireless tether 2.0.2 only uses WEP encryption which is unsecure and easily cracked (go aircrack-ng).

Personally, I haven't had a chance to try WPA2 encryption. Anyone want to test, and confirm if it works?

EDIT: WPA2 works perfectly for me. It's nice to be able to have an access point on my android that the teenage neighbor can't hack into

is there anyway of getting this into the hydra kernal?

junjlo:

You will have to ask the developers of hydra-kernel to add:

CONFIG_BCM4329_SOFTAP=y

to the .config file before compiling the kernel.

This is already in the kernel for cm6 and skyraider. It may even be in the other Hydra kernels. We have been messing with it for a while. And it should work with anyone using the leak.

Excellent! Thanks for the info. First post updated.

I just tried this using the CM6 Test7 Rom. The tethering works fine as described, but the change to the kernel caused the "screen tearing" problem to reoccur. This hasn't happened since the early CM6 Roms. I really like the idea of AP tethering but I can't deal with the screen tearing. Maybe I'll try it again on the next CM6 version.