How to create an ad-hoc wireless network in Ubuntu

networking gnome network-manager

5,269

Install dnsmasq-base. This should take care of your problem.

sudo apt-get update # update the software database

sudo apt-get install dnsmasq-base # install dnsmasq-base

5,269

Startec

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Startec over 1 year
This should be very easy but I am finding it quite hard in Ubuntu.

I want to create a network so that I can connect other devices to my computer wirelessly. I do not need an internet connection, I just need an ad-hoc network from my Ubuntu computer which is running Gnome.

These directions are inaccurate, there is no "Use as a..." in step 4.

These directions imply that I can not change the automatically generated password for the Wi-Fi network. Also, see below, the network disappears after a few minutes.

The closest I have found is clicking the "hamburger nav" in settings and clicking "Turn On Wi-Fi hotspot" (pictured):

This does create an ad-hoc network but:
- The name of the nework is fixed (can't change it)
- The password is fixed (can't change it)
- After about 20 seconds the hotspot menu (pictured below) goes away and I can't connect any devices to it even when it does appear.
Why is this so ghetto? I could do this on mac in about 10 seconds. How can I rename the ad-hoc network and how do I make it persist (i.e. not go anywhere)?

The output of dpkg -l *dnsmasq* is as follows:
```
Desired=Unknown/Install/Remove/Purge/Hold
| Status=Not/Inst/Conf-files/Unpacked/halF-conf/Half-inst/trig-aWait/Trig-pend
|/ Err?=(none)/Reinst-required (Status,Err: uppercase=bad)
||/ Name           Version      Architecture Description
+++-==============-============-============-=================================
un  dnsmasq        <none>       <none>       (no description available)
un  dnsmasq-base   <none>       <none>       (no description available)
```
- Boris Hamanov about 5 years
  
  Edit your question and show me dpkg -l *dnsmasq*.
- Startec about 5 years
  
  @heynnema I updated my question with the output of that command.
- ThatsRightJack about 4 years
  
  Is this a hot spot or ad hoc network?
- Startec about 4 years
  
  @ThatsRightJack unsure what the difference is.
Startec about 5 years

where are these options. I don't see "Edit connections" anywhere under WI-FI tab, not any option for Ad-hoc (see above picture).
Startec about 5 years

That fixed it. I still can't set the password or network name (bummer) but now it stays open and I can connect. I have no idea why you knew that would fix it but thank you.
Boris Hamanov about 5 years

@Startec you're very welcome!
LEo over 4 years

I have this package installed, but when I create a Hotspot it does not go visible in any Android device I've tested... Any tip?
Boris Hamanov over 4 years

@LEo Does it work with non-Android devices? Did you try the next answer?
ThatsRightJack about 4 years

@heynnema does this solution work for ad hoc or hot spot?
ThatsRightJack about 4 years

what does "shared with other computers" mean? What kinda network is that?
Boris Hamanov about 4 years

@ThatsRightJack Try it. It's a quick install, and a quick uninstall if it doesn't solve your problem. Report back.