Hotel wired to wireless? How to do it
 

If I am staying in a hotel with free dsl (wired) is there an easy way I can connect a ?router or something so I can use my wireless laptop? I like to work sitting on the bed rather than at a (usually) uncomfortable desk and usually carry a 25 ft cord - but it is heavy and unaesthetic :) Help?

I use a Netgear wireless travel router. There's also the Apple one and others. Thread below also has discussions. Has worked great for me. This includes places where you have to go through an initial access page, which I've been able to do through the laptop connected to the router (don't have to do it directly with laptop first).

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=360182

I travel with an Apple AirPort Express. PRetty good stuff

thanks for the info and link. I don't have an Apple so I guess that lets the airport out.
I guess what I'm wondering is if this can be done as "plug and play"? When I set up my wireless system at home I had to have a "key" to be entered onto each computer. Would I just plug the router into the hardwire and then I could just use my laptop wireless as if it was plugged in directly without any password, or key or???
Sorry if these are dumb questions but after spending (wasting) 2 days trying to set up a wireless print server I'm a little burned out :o

Apple airport express works with both Windows and Mac.

I picked up the Airport Express based on the comments in another thread. I use a Dell Inspiron running Windows XP and all I needed to do was connect the AE to the hotel room modem/router/access point and then plug it in. My laptop automatically detected the wireless signal and has been working without a hitch for several months.

The AE comes with software but I never had to run it. And it's smaller than a hockey puck, very easy to pack/unpack, etc.

This question was discussed in the late summer. I commend the last posting on the first page, which refers to a comparison of three travel routers:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=357585

The Apple Airport Express is a great little tool that I take on every trip with my powerbook. Its great since you can hook up speakers, a printer, and of course internet.



Chris Szulc

Currently using the Airport :D Works really well for wireless but I couldn't get it to work with my printer at home :( I also couldn't get any wireless print servers to work reliably so maybe the problem is the printer (brother 1440)

Thanks to everyone for all the help!

There's also the WiFlyer at http://www.wiflyer.com/

It makes your wired ethernet or dial up connection wireless. Perfect if you're in a hotel that doesn't have broadband access and the phone is teathered across the room on a short cord.