do any wifi transmitters allow multiple devices, without extra payments?
Dec 18, 2011 | 5:54 pm
#16
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It was simple to use and both my husband and I were hitting it at the same time without any issue.
Dec 18, 2011 | 5:54 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
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I register my iPhone and use MyWi (from the Cydia App Store) to rebroadcast the wifi signal. It can create a virtual AP and NAT the signal. You can even use a PPTP VPN once the iPhone is connected to hide what you doing a bit more or to fill the room with a virtual US connection. Just make sure you use the wifi only mode or you could have a rude surprise at the end of the month. I like this in foreign hotels because it means I can make VOIP calls throughout the hotel.
Dec 18, 2011 | 6:35 pm
#18
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Actually, the ASUS WL-330ge only repeats the existing signal; it doesn't create a second WiFi network (universal repeater mode).
So if you have poor WiFi reception in your hotel room, then universal repeater mode can help, BUT, the hotel / ISP may charge you for each device connected (some do, and some don't; I've experienced both).
Also, the Asus model can only operate as a universal repeater for WiFi networks that are unencrypted or use WEP encryption only. WPA or WPA2 are unsupported (in repeater mode).
So if you have poor WiFi reception in your hotel room, then universal repeater mode can help, BUT, the hotel / ISP may charge you for each device connected (some do, and some don't; I've experienced both).
Also, the Asus model can only operate as a universal repeater for WiFi networks that are unencrypted or use WEP encryption only. WPA or WPA2 are unsupported (in repeater mode).
Dec 18, 2011 | 7:32 pm
#19
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I have a nice travel router, but there's an even simpler solution. Connectify turns your computer into NAT wireless router.
If you will be connecting your laptop to the hotel's ethernet, and are running Windows 7, you could try turning your laptop into a hotspot:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l#post15593691
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...l#post15593691
Last edited by cblaisd; Dec 18, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Dec 18, 2011 | 7:56 pm
#20
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Dec 18, 2011 | 9:32 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Denver CO
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What you're looking at doing essentially requires two radios (one to act as client; one to ask as base-station). There are a few devices that can do this, but not usually in the same RF band (ie, 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Items like the Apple Airport Extreme can do it, BUT it's obviously not as portable, and two, they generally don't act as a separate NAT device. IE, they simply would repeat the signal, and not create a private WiFi network for your use only.
Even with the "Extend Wireless Network" option or WDS option in Apple routers (Express or Extreme), I don't believe they allow you to create a separate DHCP pool and assign addresses from it. They're simply acting as layer-2 bridges between two WiFi radios (which appear as one network to the hotel / ISP). So you could be charged for each individual device.
Now, you could do it, but you'd need TWO access points to carry with you (and connect them via Ethernet cable).
Now, another option could be to get a USB WiFi key, plug it into your laptop, and share it that way. So one WiFi interface is connected to your hotel's WiFi network, and one WiFi interface becomes your 'private' WiFi network.
On the Mac, this functionality is built-in (just need the second WiFi interface); on Windows you might need an app like Connectify to do it.
This may be the cheapest way to go, and the most portable, as a small, WiFi usb key is dirt-cheap, and as portable as it gets (also, no need for a separate power supply!)
Patrick
Even with the "Extend Wireless Network" option or WDS option in Apple routers (Express or Extreme), I don't believe they allow you to create a separate DHCP pool and assign addresses from it. They're simply acting as layer-2 bridges between two WiFi radios (which appear as one network to the hotel / ISP). So you could be charged for each individual device.
Now, you could do it, but you'd need TWO access points to carry with you (and connect them via Ethernet cable).
Now, another option could be to get a USB WiFi key, plug it into your laptop, and share it that way. So one WiFi interface is connected to your hotel's WiFi network, and one WiFi interface becomes your 'private' WiFi network.
On the Mac, this functionality is built-in (just need the second WiFi interface); on Windows you might need an app like Connectify to do it.
This may be the cheapest way to go, and the most portable, as a small, WiFi usb key is dirt-cheap, and as portable as it gets (also, no need for a separate power supply!)
Patrick
An Apple Airport Express receives an internet signal via an ethernet cord-there is no choice to use a wireless input that I an aware of. That eliminates it for me as many hotels I stay in provide only a wifi signal to the room, which the Airport Express can't pick up. Otherwise, this would be the answer-as I posted before, I use this at home by taking my cable internet signal via an ethernet cord into the Airport Express, and from there a wifi signal, with passoword protection, goes out to all the devices in my home. There can be 4,5 or 6 such devices all using that network at the same time. That's what I need for stays at hotels and other places on the road. .
Dec 19, 2011 | 3:36 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Not sure what you are referring to here. I have and use the ASUS WL-330gE, and it definitely creates a separate WiFi network independent of any that it connects to. In NAT mode, the hotel sees only the router, and I've only ever received one charge. Supports WPA2 also. (See here for details.) The ASUS is a good choice, because it is often available for only $15 or so after rebate. Could it be a different router that you're thinking of?
Interesting that they are doing so...same logical process as Connectify then (which can take your PC WiFi and create a second WiFi network as a result). If performance is an issue, this can be an impact, given that you're asking a single WiFi radio to act both as client (to the hotel's network), and base-station (to your own devices).
So a performance hit, but otherwise, technically do-able. The initial documentation that I had found on the Asus indicated that it wasn't able to do so (maybe later firmware fixed it).
Interesting also that MyWi can do it on a JB iPhone....have to see if anything in the Android market can duplicate that (don't feel like JBing my iPhone, but I have a couple of spare Android phones around).
Patrick
Dec 19, 2011 | 5:48 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 960
An Apple Airport Express receives an internet signal via an ethernet cord-there is no choice to use a wireless input that I an aware of. That eliminates it for me as many hotels I stay in provide only a wifi signal to the room, which the Airport Express can't pick up.
Dec 19, 2011 | 9:54 am
#24
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 739
If you require WiFi-to-WiFi repeating/bridging; as a separate (sub-)network;
consider a using DD-WRT firmware on a Linksys WRT54GL. It finds signals
that my laptop/iPad cannot receive ... and makes them usable.
There is a cottage industry selling these pre-configured appliances on eBay
for $40-$80.
re: Wired:WiFi ... hotels that use Nomadix as their ISP will indeed block most
travel routers.
consider a using DD-WRT firmware on a Linksys WRT54GL. It finds signals
that my laptop/iPad cannot receive ... and makes them usable.
There is a cottage industry selling these pre-configured appliances on eBay
for $40-$80.
re: Wired:WiFi ... hotels that use Nomadix as their ISP will indeed block most
travel routers.
Dec 19, 2011 | 3:30 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2004
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What do you guys do with a weak wifi signal in a hotel room? Many hotels I stay in have poor wifi signals in certain rooms and sometimes I have to switch rooms to get a better signal. Is there a portable repeater or range extender that I can buy to get a stronger signal for my laptop?
Dec 19, 2011 | 3:55 pm
#26
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Location: ORD
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What do you guys do with a weak wifi signal in a hotel room? Many hotels I stay in have poor wifi signals in certain rooms and sometimes I have to switch rooms to get a better signal. Is there a portable repeater or range extender that I can buy to get a stronger signal for my laptop?
Realize that repeating the signal like this will halve throughput for everyone on the network. Better to put the Asus wherever there's the strongest signal and have it send out its own local wifi signal for you.
Dec 19, 2011 | 4:05 pm
#27
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Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
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What do you guys do with a weak wifi signal in a hotel room? Many hotels I stay in have poor wifi signals in certain rooms and sometimes I have to switch rooms to get a better signal. Is there a portable repeater or range extender that I can buy to get a stronger signal for my laptop?
Dec 19, 2011 | 5:11 pm
#29
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What do you guys do with a weak wifi signal in a hotel room? Many hotels I stay in have poor wifi signals in certain rooms and sometimes I have to switch rooms to get a better signal. Is there a portable repeater or range extender that I can buy to get a stronger signal for my laptop?
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-.../dp/B000A1AQOO
http://www.google.com/products/catal...58982088397836
Dec 21, 2011 | 1:21 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2007
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It can operate in a number of different modes, including simply extending the signal, right through to connecting to one wifi network and sharing it out as a completely different wifi network via a router/NAT/etc.
It can also act as an AP (ie, create a hotspot in a hotel room with only ethernet), or even as a Wifi client (ie, connect a computer that doesn't have wifi to a wifi network via ethernet).