Difference between Internet Sharing and ‘Create a Network’

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I have discovered two ways to share internet on my MacBook. Firstly, clicking on the Wi-Fi icon and selecting 'Create Network…'. Secondly, in System Preferences, Sharing > Internet Sharing and select 'To computers using: Wi-Fi'. What is the difference between these?

Best Answer

The difference between the two is simple:

  • Ad-hoc (peer-to-peer) network
  • Internet Sharing

When you click on Create Network from the WiFi icon in the top bar, you are creating an ad-hoc network. An ad-hoc network is just an infrastructure-less network that allows you to share resources to other local computers (i.e. file sharing). There's typically no Internet access with this setup. Typical use cases would be to share a file wirelessly, or to screen share (remote control) one machine with another for administration/maintenance.

Internet Sharing, when configured through System Preferences, turns your Mac into a router with with NAT and firewall services. A simple use case would be to allow your guests in hotel room to use the hotel internet through your login credentials. This differs from an ad-hoc network inasmuch as you're creating the necessary infrastructure; the wireless access, the router, and the firewall.

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