 - An ad-hoc (or "spontaneous") network is a local area network or other small network, especially one with wireless or temporary plug-in connections, in which some of the network devices are part of the network only for the duration of a communications session or, in the case of mobile or portable devices, while in some close proximity to the rest of the network. In Latin, ad hoc literally means "for this," further meaning "for this purpose only," and thus usually temporary. The term has been applied to future office or home networks in which new devices can be quickly added, using, for example, the proposed Bluetooth technology in which devices communicate with the computer and perhaps other devices using wireless transmission.
One vendor offers an ad-hoc network technology that allows people to come to a conference room and, using infrared transmission or radio frequency (RF) wireless signals, join their notebook computers with other conferees to a local network with shared data and printing resources. Each user has a unique network address that is immediately recognized as part of the network. The technology would also include remote users and hybrid wireless/wire connections.
Jini is an approach to instant recognition of new devices in a network that would seem to make it easier to have an ad-hoc network.
| LAST UPDATED: |
11 Apr 2003
|
|
Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com
|
 |
 |
| |
RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
| Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary |
 |
4G
(SearchMobileComputing.com)
4G is the short term for fourth-generation wireless, the stage of broadband mobile communications that will supercede the third generation (3G) of...
|
|
802.16c
(SearchMobileComputing.com)
|
|
|
