Create WiFi hotspot on ubuntu

Although many questions have already been asked regarding WiFi hotspot, I didn't get any of the solutions working for me.

I connect to the Internet using a 3G Dongle of Huawei 3772 (Vodafone). The connection type is Mobile Broadband connection. I have to share this Internet connection with my other devices like mobile phones and laptops.

How can I create a WiFi hotspot connection for this connection.

I am using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

I would like to note that I have already tried some help links from Ubuntu but, they are so confusing that I could not understand them.

Creating wifi-hotspot using Unity's default network manager without downloading any tool/software.

The method described in this answer only works if your wireless device supports master mode. To check whether it does, open a console and type

sudo iwconfig wlan0 mode master

Replace wlan0 with whatever Ubuntu calls your wireless device.

If you get an error, your device does not support master mode and this solution unfortunately does not work. Source: Community Help Wiki, this comment.

1. Disable WIFI and plug in an internet cable or mobile-broadband modem to your Ubuntu so that your Ubuntu is connected to wired or broadband connection and wireless is disabled.

2. Go to Network Icon on the top panel → Edit Connections, then click the Add button in the pop up windows.

   

3. Choose Wi-Fi from the drop-down menu when you're asked to choose a connection type:

   

4. In the next window, do:

   • Type in a connection name. The name will be used later.
   • Type in a SSID
   • Select mode: Infrastructure
   • Device MAC address: select your wireless card from drop-down menu.

   

5. Go to Wi-Fi Security tab,select security type WPA & WPA2 Personal and set a password.

6. Go to IPv4 Settings tab, from Method drop-down box select Shared to other computers.

   

When done, click the save button.

After above steps, a configuration file created under /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections directory. File name is same to the connection name you typed in step 4.

Now press Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard to open terminal. When it opens, paste the commands below and hit Enter to edit the configuration file.

gksudo gedit /etc/NetworkManager/system-connections/wifi-hotspot

Replace wifi-hotspot with the connection name you types in step 4.

When the file opens, search for the line mode=infrastructure and change it to mode=ap.

Finally save the file.

When everything's done, enable WIFI from Network Manager icon on the panel. It should automatically connect to the hotspot you created. If not, select "Connect to Hidden Wi-Fi Network" and select it from the drop-down box.

Now you can search and connect the access point from your Android mobile ..... enyou <^_^>

Credit: UbuntuHandBook

Install ap-hotspot :

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ap-hotspot

Update it for Ubuntu 14.04 if you are using it :

amd64 : http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/w/wpa/hostapd_1.0-3ubuntu2.1_amd64.deb
32 bit : http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/w/wpa/hostapd_1.0-3ubuntu2.1_i386.deb

Example on amd64 :

cd /tmp
wget http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/w/wpa/hostapd_1.0-3ubuntu2.1_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i hostapd*.deb
sudo apt-mark hold hostapd

Usage :

sudo ap-hotspot start

// Follow the configuration for password & ssid

If u want to re configure it again :

sudo ap-hotspot configure

To stop it :

sudo ap-hotspot stop

To check the configuration :

ap-hotspot

And most important of all: Don't forget to turn off the Firewall on the Hotspot!