Travel Technology - connecting a wireless router to your hotel ethernet connection

I would love to get your experiences and recommendations.

I have decided thanks to your help to keep my USB EVDO modem. But I also want to be able to set up my own wifi, using the hotel ethernet connection as input to my router, when that is available instead of the EVDO card.

What do you do? What do you suggest?

I carry a travel router & do it all the time. I set it up with the same (non-broadcasting) SSID & WPA2 password as my home system so I don't even have to add it to my list of wireless networks on the laptop.

One thing I've found at a few hotels is that they check if the manufacturer part of the MAC address (first three bytes) is assigned to: Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or one of the major router companies they won't allow you on. Just spoof the MAC addy in the router with the first three bytes of your laptop MAC & make up entries for the last three bytes and all will work fine.

Happy networking!

I carry a travel router & do it all the time. I set it up with the same (non-broadcasting) SSID & WPA2 password as my home system so I don't even have to add it to my list of wireless networks on the laptop.

One thing I've found at a few hotels is that they check if the manufacturer part of the MAC address (first three bytes) is assigned to: Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or one of the major router companies they won't allow you on. Just spoof the MAC addy in the router with the first three bytes of your laptop MAC & make up entries for the last three bytes and all will work fine.

Happy networking!

what model do you use? This is awesome.

Apple's Airport Express is what I travel with.

You can establish a travelling profile so you can use it for Airtunes or networking extension when you're not on the road and then revert to the travelling profile. It also now ships as wireless N as standard.

It has the advantage that you can use the standard apple travel power supply kit which has various global adaptors to clip on the the AE.

That's interesting. I've never had a problem connecting my Dlink unit. I can't remember if I cloned the MAC or not, but maybe that's why there's been no problem....


I carry a travel router & do it all the time. I set it up with the same (non-broadcasting) SSID & WPA2 password as my home system so I don't even have to add it to my list of wireless networks on the laptop.

One thing I've found at a few hotels is that they check if the manufacturer part of the MAC address (first three bytes) is assigned to: Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or one of the major router companies they won't allow you on. Just spoof the MAC addy in the router with the first three bytes of your laptop MAC & make up entries for the last three bytes and all will work fine.

Happy networking!

I use the D-link travel router (click here (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=346)), a superb unit (unlike my experience with other D-link products). In fact I have three of them.

Can be used as a router, access point, or client (I use it as a client on my home desktop).

IF you can find them on sale, buy all of them!

I carry the same D-Link router and like it. When I check into a hotel that only has wifi, I've sometimes connected this router to my laptop's ethernet port in AP mode and enabled internet sharing on my notebook. This allows me to have wifi access on my Sirius Stilleto and my wifi/voip enabled cell phone.

If you've got an EVDO modem, you might also want to look at a Cradlepoint router. It can rebroadcast both Ethernet and EVDO obtained internet signals.

I have a Linksys WTR54GS & WRT54GC. Unfortunately both are discontinued models but do show up on ebay. I know some folks who travel with the DWL-G730 mentioned above & love it -- I just wish it had an integrated power supply.

In the past I'd take an Airport Express but have since retired it. It works great if you have an Apple laptop, but it's dicey to configure on a PC since you have to use Apple's configuration software. Using the web browser interface to a wired port is just so much more bulletproof.

One other advantage of a travel router - if the hotel's charging you a daily rate for the internet read the brochure and make sure they don't have language like "$xx per day PER COMPUTER". I've had one hotel charge me twice for the same day because I plugged my MacBook Pro & PC into the wired broadband at different times during the day. Some serious whining got them to remove one of the charges. Obviously they were tracking MAC addys. If I was using a travel router at that time it wouldn't have been an issue.

If you've got an EVDO modem, you might also want to look at a Cradlepoint router. It can rebroadcast both Ethernet and EVDO obtained internet signals.

Funny, as I read this thread, I started to look at the Cradlepoint to see if it would handle both- carrying two modems would not be idea. I don't see anything on their site that mentions the rebroadcast of Wifi...without much looking so far. But it seems that you've gotten it to work :)

Doesn't look like one could hardwire an ethernet cable and make a hotspot that way, though.

Cheers.

I carry a travel router & do it all the time. I set it up with the same (non-broadcasting) SSID & WPA2 password as my home system so I don't even have to add it to my list of wireless networks on the laptop.

What router do you use? Pls tell us more


One thing I've found at a few hotels is that they check if the manufacturer part of the MAC address (first three bytes) is assigned to: Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or one of the major router companies they won't allow you on. Just spoof the MAC addy in the router with the first three bytes of your laptop MAC & make up entries for the last three bytes and all will work fine.


I just started traveling with AE (mac user) and sometimes get signal but can't log on. Not password related so maybe this is the reason.

Btw, I'm also with TMO and use their H@H on my BB 8820 - with wifi set up, UMA pops up and all calls when I'm overseas to stateside numbers are free.

I've got one of the D-Link travel routers as well. Smartest travel gadget of the year in my book. I got it for hotel use, but I discovered that when I flip it over to AP mode, I can use it to serve as a wireless splitter when I use conference rooms at the office that lack WiFi. Everyone can get on, no need to use a wired hub and have Ethernet cables everywhere. My team all has my SSID and WPA key.

Seems kind of fishy that hotels would try and block you based on the MAC address you present - what if you have a laptop that has a Linksys or D-Link PC Card Ethernet adapter?

Interesting thread but I have a question. If a hotel room has Ethernet access typically at the desk, what is the need to create your own wireless set up? Aren't you still sitting at the desk 99.9% of time?

Interesting thread but I have a question. If a hotel room has Ethernet access typically at the desk, what is the need to create your own wireless set up? Aren't you still sitting at the desk 99.9% of time?

I like to watch tv and work at the same time. Too often the TV is set up in such a way that you can't see it from the desk. :(

When I am outside the US, I use VOIP on my cell phone via wifi. Additionally, I have Psiloc Connect on my PDA. It uses wifi first and then HSPA if there isn't wifi. It helps me nurse my 20 megs of non-US data.

Airport express also, this has saved me alot over past year when travelling with Mrs Stickskier and 2 laptops - and 99.9% at the desk? - I like to lounge!:D

Seems kind of fishy that hotels would try and block you based on the MAC address you present - what if you have a laptop that has a Linksys or D-Link PC Card Ethernet adapter?

Still a lot of hotels out there which are pretty slimy by advertising free internet & blocking access to SMTP servers, torrents, even standard VPN ports. It's in their best interests to restrict our bandwidth use. Found an old post about a FTer who couldn't get his/her VoIP router going without spoofing the MAC.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=571964&highlight=mac+spoofing

AFAIK Linksys, D-Link, etc. don't make laptop cards (I could be very wrong though) although they are huge in the aftermarket ISA/PCI bus arena for desktops. Realtek seems to be the 800 lb gorilla in the laptop market along with the OEMs who integrate the ethernet interface into their mobos.

Interesting thread but I have a question. If a hotel room has Ethernet access typically at the desk, what is the need to create your own wireless set up? Aren't you still sitting at the desk 99.9% of time?
So I can sit on the bed and work. The desk-based ethernet cables are typically quite short and I don't bother carrying a longer ethernet cable with me. Also I can use my iPhone simultaneously on the wifi for better performance there. I use an Apple Airport Express and am quite pleased with the performance and simplicity.

Have a linksys travel router. Love everything about it except the fact that you cannot manually specify ethernet speed/duplex. On a few occasions, this has left me in a grind when the hub/switch at the hotel would not properly autonegotiate. Other than that minor quibble, it's fantastic for all of the reasons mentioned above.

Interesting thread but I have a question. If a hotel room has Ethernet access typically at the desk, what is the need to create your own wireless set up? Aren't you still sitting at the desk 99.9% of time?

I bring a router with me when sharing a room so that multiple computers can access via the same connection.

it would be nice to have a router that can work off a USB wireless EVDO/GPRS modem or a wired connection, and that sets up wifi. Is there such a beast?

it would be nice to have a router that can work off a USB wireless EVDO/GPRS modem or a wired connection, and that sets up wifi. Is there such a beast?

I stand corrected there are decent uses for BYO wireless to a hotel.


Richard for your question there are a number of devices that convert EVDO or other Broadband card to 802.xx wireless. This is the one I use in vacation homes, relatives homes etc, when traveling with spouse and kids and there is no high speed wireless. Works well as long as speed limitations are anticipated.

http://shopper.cnet.com/routers/linksys-wireless-g-router/4014-3319_9-32092813.html

I have traveled in the past with a Netgear travel router and bought a D-link after that went dodgy. On a couple of occasions recently, I have encountered situations where the hotel authorization system wanted to charge me for additional connections for another laptop, PDA, etc. Is anyone aware of any way to work around this? Thanks.

Clone the MAC address of the laptop you use to the Dlink router. I think that should help your situation.


I have traveled in the past with a Netgear travel router and bought a D-link after that went dodgy. On a couple of occasions recently, I have encountered situations where the hotel authorization system wanted to charge me for additional connections for another laptop, PDA, etc. Is anyone aware of any way to work around this? Thanks.

I'm hardly ever at the desk working. I prefer to be in a comfy chair or on the bed. If I've scored a nice SPG suite then perhaps on the couch. I have been traveling with a travel router for 3 years. First it was a Terayon freebie my travel coordinator gave me. When that bit the dust I bought a D-Link DWL-G730AP and it has made me very happy. I always clone the MAC as I've had trouble before with the 'multiple computer charges' in the past. Especially in Australia where I've also run into the 'charges for each time you connect to the network'

Recently I was at a trade show. We bought an internet connection but when the COO showed up he needed to check mail as well. No problem, just hook up the travel router and multiple people in the booth can check their email.

We also use them for demos. Recently I ran a demo with the following setup:

1) Thinkpad with a VPC running our server product.
2) Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1
3) Dell Axiom
4) Panasonic wireless projector

Everything was connected through the DWL-G730AP. The projector was very cool as it could project multiple screens at a time. So I could have the different screens up on the wall and show the interaction between them.

Another vote for the D-Link unit. It works "out of the box", a boon to the setup-challenged like me :)

Still using and loving my $13 Linksys WTR54GS. Too bad the model was discontinued early this year; I don't think anything else beats it for compactness and ease of use. I especially like the fact that its AC power supply is built-in; push the slider to extend the AC plug and the unit hangs off an electrical outlet like a wall-wart :)

EDIT: They still seem to be easy enough to find on eBay . . .

Still using and loving my $13 Linksys WTR54GS. Too bad the model was discontinued early this year; I don't think anything else beats it for compactness and ease of use. I especially like the fact that its AC power supply is built-in; push the slider to extend the AC plug and the unit hangs off an electrical outlet like a wall-wart :)

.

The only downside I see to this model is when the sockets are in hard to reach areas this until takes up a good deal of space and is not really as flexible as the external ACs are.

The only downside I see to this model is when the sockets are in hard to reach areas this until takes up a good deal of space and is not really as flexible as the external ACs are.

Hasn't proven to be a significant issue for me, and I think the compactness makes up for it.

It's worked flawlessly as well.

is there one wirelss AP/router that can plug into the ethernet connection, OR that works with a USB wireless modem if there is no ethernet connection?

One thing I've found at a few hotels is that they check if the manufacturer part of the MAC address (first three bytes) is assigned to: Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, or one of the major router companies they won't allow you on. Just spoof the MAC addy in the router with the first three bytes of your laptop MAC & make up entries for the last three bytes and all will work fine.

I wish this tread had started earlier! My Netgear travel router failed me (for the first time ever) at the IC Bali this past weekend. Their wired Internet worked fine when attached to my laptop but failed to respond at all when attached to my wireless router. Same wireless router/laptop worked fine at 2 other hotels, so I know it wasn't the hardware. I spent a good amount of time troubleshooting this but didn't think to spoof the MAC address.

Apple's Airport Express is what I travel with.

Me too.

The only downside I see to this model is when the sockets are in hard to reach areas this until takes up a good deal of space and is not really as flexible as the external ACs are.

This is one reason why I like the Airport Express. It's power supply is built-in, but I can swap the fold-out adapter for a longer cable if necessary for tight spaces.

This is one reason why I like the Airport Express. It's power supply is built-in, but I can swap the fold-out adapter for a longer cable if necessary for tight spaces.

Yeah, this is definitely the way to go. The only problem I have with the Airport over the D-Link is the cost. I'm a huge Apple fan otherwise.

Yeah, this is definitely the way to go. The only problem I have with the Airport over the D-Link is the cost. I'm a huge Apple fan otherwise.

I got one of the older ones (b/g only, not n), for $50 at a Circuit City liquidation, but that was more to get the iTunes streaming capability to my family room.

I also have one of the Linksys ones and love the built-in power supply. I can easily attach a plug adapter, if necessary and it auto-switches the voltages.

An additional benefit of MAC spoofing is the ability to use your PC to logon to whatever network you are using and then reconnect using the router. I have found that sometimes the router will not be detected (or perhaps rejected?) by the server, and hence you do not get the login screen on the PC when connected (either hard wire, or wireless) through the router.

Since I have spoofed the MAC, I have not had any problems using it all over the world, except for the need to occasionally do as I recommended above.

Hi guys, I got some question here. How do you use those portable routers with hotel who provide internet access through wifi which we connect into the network using our internet browser? I prefer not to pay for 2 charges just because I'm using my work laptop and my macbook at the same day or having to work exclusively on one laptop.

Hi guys, I got some question here. How do you use those portable routers with hotel who provide internet access through wifi which we connect into the network using our internet browser? I prefer not to pay for 2 charges just because I'm using my work laptop and my macbook at the same day or having to work exclusively on one laptop.

Assuming you clone the MAC address to the router, once you log in using, say your work laptop, that is the only connection that the hotel will see. The router will then provide an internal IP address for your laptop, Macbook, PDA, or whatever for you to use, and pump out the data thru the single IP that is registered with the hotel.

edit: It will work without cloning, but the cloning will save you problems later on in some situations.

how do you clone the MAC addy?

how do you clone the MAC addy?

It's usually in (one of ) the setup page of the router. You plug the router into your computer and access it thru a local ip address- it should be in the instructions.

Hi guys, I got some question here. How do you use those portable routers with hotel who provide internet access through wifi which we connect into the network using our internet browser? I prefer not to pay for 2 charges just because I'm using my work laptop and my macbook at the same day or having to work exclusively on one laptop.
I think he was asking a different question than the previous answer indicated. I think he wants to use a hotel's WIFI access, not wired access, and then route that.

I think he was asking a different question than the previous answer indicated. I think he wants to use a hotel's WIFI access, not wired access, and then route that.

You're correct. But he can do the same thing as I said but just change the settings on his router to act as a bridge.

Yes, saying it a little differently, the Linksys has a setting for whether you want to connect to a wired outlet (plug in the wall), or a wireless network. In both cases it works the same and the hotel/provider will only "see" the router.

The purpose of the MAC address change (clone) is to avoid problems on certain networks that block routers like these (to maintain revenue - what we gain, they lose) based on the use of certain MAC addresses by the manufacturers. If you leave the MAC address as default, they might not let you connect. Changing it to another value will avoid this potential problem.

Usually the routers are accessed via a browser, connected to its address. Some might require special software to accomplish this, but Linksys is easy. If you don't have your original documentation (instructions), just go to the website of the manufacturer.

You might want to do all this at "home", while you have a connection, rather than wait until you are stuck someplace.

what kind of linksys one do you have, platcomike?

I use the D-link travel router (click here (http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=346)), a superb unit (unlike my experience with other D-link products). In fact I have three of them.

Can be used as a router, access point, or client (I use it as a client on my home desktop).

IF you can find them on sale, buy all of them!

I carry the same D-Link router and like it.

I know this unit gets great reviews and is absolutely tiny, but I was never able to get it up and running - and I'm relatively tech savvy. At least enough to get a router going, that's for sure. I ended up getting one of the Linksys travel routers with the pop out plug and it works fine.

There is a switch on the bottom that changes the type of connection you're trying to achieve. Did you have the switch in the correct setting?

I carry the small Linksys router and it connects fine 98% of the time. I also tote a 20 ft ethernet cable for the remaining 2%. I prefer an easy chair to the mostly crappy hotel desk chairs.

MisterNice

The switch on the bottom of the D-link router has three positions: router, access point, and client.

You want router or access point. Frankly, I don't understand the difference, and I've had to switch between them at various locations to get it to work.

Platcomike has the Linksys WTR54GS, it has the slideout power prongs, so it does not need an external power supply.

It does not have any external switches, everything is set from the web menu.


Here is a link to a picture of it:

http://images.digitalmedianet.com/2006/Week_36/v5bnr960/story/linksys_2_shot.jpg

Now that I have your attention:

I have never been able to use my Dlink pocket router on the ADSL internet connection in my brother's apt in BKK. Anyone else have experience setting up a mini wifi net in BKK?

Jim

Now that I have your attention:

I have never been able to use my Dlink pocket router on the ADSL internet connection in my brother's apt in BKK. Anyone else have experience setting up a mini wifi net in BKK?

Jim

I've had no problems using mine in the Westin in BKK.

Can anyone help me please. I have an airport express set up as a bridge. But each new device (after the first) that I want to connect to it seems to require a fresh hotel charge. I assume that I need to connect to the internet and pay for it using my Macbook and then change the airport express's MAC address to that of the Macbook? Is that the way and if it is how, please, beacause I can't find it in the airport utility anywhere, can I change the airport express's MAC address.

I am a new-ish Mac user so if this question is very newbie-ish I apologise.:)

Very many thanks

Can anyone help me please. I have an airport express set up as a bridge. But each new device (after the first) that I want to connect to it seems to require a fresh hotel charge. I assume that I need to connect to the internet and pay for it using my Macbook and then change the airport express's MAC address to that of the Macbook? Is that the way and if it is how, please, beacause I can't find it in the airport utility anywhere, can I change the airport express's MAC address.

I am a new-ish Mac user so if this question is very newbie-ish I apologise.:)

Very many thanks

I am a pc guy, so take this with a grain of salt. I don't think you want to set this up as a bridge, but as a router. The router will send one MAC address to your hotel ISP, and thus only one charge. Then it will do NAT (network address translation) to connect itself to whatever wireless devices you wish to use with that one connection. For instance, right now mine is serving my netbook, my son's dell laptop and my daughter's MacBook Pro-all from one connection and one charge.

I *believe* that the bridge just acts as a traffic cop between the peripheral devices and the ISP. But the ISP sees all the devices, thus the multiple charges.

Does the Airport have additional settings other than bridge you can use?

I *believe* that the bridge just acts as a traffic cop between the peripheral devices and the ISP. But the ISP sees all the devices, thus the multiple charges.


Correct. By definition, a network bridge connects two separate networks so devices on either network can access either network transparently. In other words, it acts as a bridge between two networks. :)

There is a switch on the bottom that changes the type of connection you're trying to achieve. Did you have the switch in the correct setting?

Yup, I even tried using D Link's tech support. They couldn't figure it out either. If I remember correctly, they tried to blame the hotel's network. When I tried the replacement Linksys router, there were no issues.

Correct. By definition, a network bridge connects two separate networks so devices on either network can access either network transparently. In other words, it acts as a bridge between two networks. :)

Thanks. I was relying on this (http://thesmallwave.com/2008/04/17/apple-airport-express-a-wireless-hotel-room-network/), which just shows you can't trust everything you read on the Internet :) .

I tried every other configuration of the airport express I possibly could but no way could I get my MacBook to see the internet unless I set it to be a bridge (the other option at that stage was to share a piublic IP address or act as a bridge).

Thanks. I was relying on this (http://thesmallwave.com/2008/04/17/apple-airport-express-a-wireless-hotel-room-network/), which just shows you can't trust everything you read on the Internet :) .

I tried every other configuration of the airport express I possibly could but no way could I get my MacBook to see the internet unless I set it to be a bridge (the other option at that stage was to share a piublic IP address or act as a bridge).

You would want the "share" option as that that makes it do the NAT and allow multiple devices to share the one IP address (and access charge) of the hotel.

You would want the "share" option as that that makes it do the NAT and allow multiple devices to share the one IP address (and access charge) of the hotel.

And when I set it that way it refuses an internet connection, which makes me wonder whether, as has been suggested elsewhere, the hotel's system is trained to recognise the MAC address as belonging to an Airport Express and declines a connection?

I have a tiny little Belkin travel router (about 6 cm x 6 cm and weighs pratically nothing) that can be powered from the mains or USB. It's easy to set up, and very handy.

I got back from Mexico where I used the Dlink router for the first time (thankyou for that suggestion.) And it worked a treat. Two people in the room could use the Internet connection, both wirelessly. It didn't help the sloooooooow transfer rate though :D

And when I set it that way it refuses an internet connection, which makes me wonder whether, as has been suggested elsewhere, the hotel's system is trained to recognise the MAC address as belonging to an Airport Express and declines a connection?

I think what is special about the D-Link which I didn't see in my Airports (not express, but the round big ones) is that it will clone the MAC of another machine and use it instead of its own MAC address.