Maybe you have an old computer and want to convert it into a virtual router that you can control. Maybe you just need a Wi-Fi hotspot for your tablet and mobile phone in a conference hotel room where the wired network is fine but the hotel-provided Wi-Fi is crap. This tutorial will help you configure your Ubuntu MATE 10.06 laptop as a Wi-Fi access point or hotspot.
- Ensure that your computer has two network connections and that you have disabled its Wi-Fi. Most laptops these days come with a Wi-Fi connection, and many still have a wired connection as well. If you only have one, you will need to install a second connection or use a USB adapter. At lease one of these two devices must be Wi-Fi.
- Right-click on the network icon in the system tray and select Edit Connections, or select Network Connections from the Control Center
- If the Wi-Fi hardware you want to use is already in the list, select it and click Edit. Otherwise, click Add.
- Enter the SSID (name) you want to give to your hotspot.
- Choose "Hotspot" as the Mode.
- Choose "Automatic" as the Band.
- The Channel should already be set to "default".
- Select your Wi-Fi card or adapter from the Device list.
- Click the Wi-Fi Security tab and choose "WPA & WPA2 Personal" for the Security selection.
- Enter the Wi-Fi password for your new hotspot.
- Click the IPv4 Settings and ensure that Method is set to "Shared to other computers"
- Save your settings.
Now you can re-enable your laptop's Wi-Fi. You should not have to re-start your computer. The network connection you did not configure should connect to the network/Internet as normal. The Wi-Fi connection that you did configure will be broadcasting its SSID, ready for your tablet, mobile phone or other device to connect. From your mobile device, search for your new Wi-Fi access point using the name (SSID) you chose in the setup. Connect as you would to any Wi-Fi router or hotspot. (Note: I have NOT tested connecting to the hotspot with more than one device, but I believe it should work.)
Edit: You may need to verify that your wifi card supports master mode. Thanks to @ugnvs who provided this link in another post: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/MasterMode#Test_an_adapter_for_.22master_mode.22