Part of the Networking and communications glossary:

Wi-Fi Direct is a peer-to-peer specification that allows devices certified for Wi-Fi Direct to exchange data without an Internet connection or a wireless router. Wi-Fi Direct will provide essentially the same service to end users that Bluetooth does, but it is faster and allows devices to be farther apart when communicating.  

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Wi-Fi Direct is based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards for wireless local area network (WLAN) operation. Products that receive the certification will be designated "Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct." 

See also: 802.11, 802.11n, mesh network, 

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The Wi-Fi Alliance provides more information about Wi-Fi Direct in its press release.

Steven Sande explains why Wi-Fi Direct will compete with Bluetooth in "Wi-Fi Direct to bring secure peer-to-peer networking in 2010."

This was last updated in October 2010
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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  • Networking and communications

    - Terms related to networking and communications, including definitions about network protocols and words and phrases about data transmission.

  • Wireless LANs

    - Terms related to wireless LANs, including definitions about Wi-Fi and words and phrases about wireless access points, wireless controllers, wireless LAN security and WLAN configuration.

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