connecting a wireless router to your hotel ethernet connection
Dec 9, 2008, 3:20 pm
#16
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...t=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.
Dec 9, 2008, 3:21 pm
#17
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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.
Dec 9, 2008, 4:22 pm
#18
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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.
Dec 9, 2008, 4:46 pm
#19
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I bring a router with me when sharing a room so that multiple computers can access via the same connection.
Dec 9, 2008, 5:26 pm
#21
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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/link...-32092813.html
Dec 10, 2008, 11:00 am
#22
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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.
Dec 10, 2008, 11:35 am
#23
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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.
Dec 10, 2008, 11:47 am
#24
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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.
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.
Dec 10, 2008, 11:48 am
#25
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Another vote for the D-Link unit. It works "out of the box", a boon to the setup-challenged like me 
Dec 10, 2008, 12:39 pm
#26
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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 . . .
EDIT: They still seem to be easy enough to find on eBay . . .
Dec 10, 2008, 12:43 pm
#27
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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
.
.
Dec 10, 2008, 2:01 pm
#28
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It's worked flawlessly as well.
Dec 10, 2008, 4:22 pm
#30
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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.