Mobile adhoc networks allow wireless connectivity directly between wireless nodes - without connecting through an access point (infrastructure mode networks).

Traditional wireless networks have at least one access point, which is usually connected to a wired network. The wireless nodes associate to the access point for their connectivity. Communication between wireless nodes occurs through the AP itself (if the AP allows peer-to-peer communications) or through the network that the AP is connected to. For the nodes to be able to communicate, they must remain within range of an AP.

Mobile adhoc networks (MANETs) are designed so that the wireless peers can communicate directly to/from each other without going through an AP. The peers form associations with, and validate each other directly. As long as the peers (nodes) are within range of each other, they can communicate.