An apparatus and a method for setting up a communication link in a wireless communication system are provided. The terminal exchanges at least one information of group formation information required to negotiate a role between the terminal and a counterpart terminal, Internet Protocol (IP) allocation information required for IP allocation and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) information required for exchange of ARPs, with the counterpart terminal. The terminal sets up a main communication link between the terminal and the counterpart terminal based on the exchanged at least one information.