Comparing Wi-Fi Direct Against Existing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Basically, Wi-Fi Direct is a cross between two already existing technologies. It's a more feature-rich, secure, and smarter version of existing Wi-Fi ad-hoc networking, as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard. One could also say it's a longer range and higher speed form of Bluetooth.
The most important difference between the existing ad-hoc networking and the new Wi-Fi Direct involves security. Ad-hoc networks in most Windows versions can only run WEP encryption, which is crackable and insecure. Wi-Fi Direct will support the latest encryption: WPA2 (AES-CCMP).
Like existing ad-hoc networking, one Wi-Fi Direct device will control and manage the network. However, there will be enhancements to the negotiation of which device will manage the connection. Factors might include power management, number of connections supported, the user interface, and services offered by the device.
Wi-Fi Direct also features an improved discovery method. More information about the Wi-Fi Direct devices and their services will be broadcast to nearby Wi-Fi devices. You then, for example, might be able to see whether printing is available on a certain Wi-Fi Direct device before connecting.
Unlike existing ad-hoc networking, some Wi-Fi Direct devices will be able to connect to a traditional Wi-Fi network at the same time of belonging to a Wi-Fi Direct network. For instance, this could give the whole Wi-Fi Direct network a connection to the Internet.
Wi-Fi Direct also provides better management features over existing ad-hoc networking. For instance, network administrators might be able to configure their APs to possibly turn off Wi-Fi Direct devices and/or configure their parameters, such as the channel. This could, for example, reduce interference between the traditional and Wi-Fi Direct networks.
Wi-Fi Direct devices will operate at the same speeds or data rates and range as current Wi-Fi gear. This maximum of about 200 Mbps at 200 feet is much more than the 3 Mbps at 30 feet with Bluetooth. This means you can share and communicate much faster and farther with Wi-Fi Direct.