iPad 5GHz Ad-Hoc (Computer-to-Computer) Networking
-> The iPad (1) does NOT support AdHoc networking at 5Ghz
On my MacBook Pro, I do "Create Network". If I select a channel 1-11, I can connect to this network from the iPad. If I select a channel 36-44, the iPad says "Unable to Join Network." Note that System Profiler tells me that the AdHoc network is 802.11n.
On a Linux system I have, I can create an 802.11a (not "n") AdHoc network at various other 5Ghz-range frequencies, and I get the exact same problem when trying to connect with the iPad.
I can connect the MacBook Pro and Linux systems to each other using the 802.11a AdHoc networks, by the way.
This problem existed in iOS 4.1, 4.2, and continues to exist in 4.3.
Note that I cannot do an equivalent test with an iPod Touch, because that doesn't have a 5GHz radio in it.
I will update this post on Monday when I can test on a new iPad 2. I haven't seen any info on whether they might be using a different chipset in those, but it seems likely.
Does anyone know if this is an acknowledged limitation of the iPad? I haven't been able to find any references on the subject.
-Joshua
iPad 1, iOS 4.2, iOS 4.3, iOS 4