Sharing Wifi

carp4154 · 07-16-2005

The answer to this is probably already in the forum but I cannot seem to find it.
We travel in our RV a great deal. More and more often we stay at campgrounds that have Wifi. In the vast majority of cases we have to pay for it - which is ok. Except we both have laptops and both want to be on line and it gets expensive.
So - my question is - is there a router that can be used in a situation like this? Where it will pick up the signal and send it to both computers? We have a wifi router at home but it is wired to a DSL modem and there would be no modem in this situation.
Thanks in advance.
Shelley

streaker69 · 07-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp4154

The answer to this is probably already in the forum but I cannot seem to find it.
We travel in our RV a great deal. More and more often we stay at campgrounds that have Wifi. In the vast majority of cases we have to pay for it - which is ok. Except we both have laptops and both want to be on line and it gets expensive.
So - my question is - is there a router that can be used in a situation like this? Where it will pick up the signal and send it to both computers? We have a wifi router at home but it is wired to a DSL modem and there would be no modem in this situation.
Thanks in advance.
Shelley

So, umm, in other words you want to use two computers while only paying for one, would that be an accurate assessment?

carp4154 · 07-16-2005

That is exactly what I want. Just like at home - I pay for one DSL and use it on 3 computers -
Don't you do the same?

wrzwaldo · 07-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp4154

That is exactly what I want. Just like at home - I pay for one DSL and use it on 3 computers -
Don't you do the same?

If it is line with the ISP TOS. Sounds like what your asking about is outside that realm.

streaker69 · 07-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp4154

That is exactly what I want. Just like at home - I pay for one DSL and use it on 3 computers -
Don't you do the same?

It would depend upon what the TOS/AUP is of the place that you're staying as to whether you're allowed to do it or not.

Thorn · 07-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by carp4154

That is exactly what I want. Just like at home - I pay for one DSL and use it on 3 computers -
Don't you do the same?

Home DSL connections involve different circumstances. The standard Terms Of Service of most DSL provders allows for multiple connections to be shared via a router. Therefore, it is perfectly legal for you to share the connection in such a manner.

In most hospitality setups, you are paying for a single PC to connect, and the TOS reflects that.

As to how (assuming it is even allowed by the TOS in the first place), it will vary from place to place and what they are using to control the access. I know of about a half-dozen different ways that such controls are implemented, and each one would require a different technique to share the connection.

arsham11 · 07-16-2005

Google!!!

Search: "share a wireless connection"!!!!!

1st result: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx

now, let's see, if you have two cards on one of your systems, then I guess the problem is kind of solved... not great, but it works... and since you're only connecting one system, you will be breaking no laws!

Airstreamer · 07-16-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsham11

Google!!!

Search: "share a wireless connection"!!!!!

1st result: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx

now, let's see, if you have two cards on one of your systems, then I guess the problem is kind of solved... not great, but it works... and since you're only connecting one system, you will be breaking no laws!

Actually, look at the TOS. See IF it allows sharing.

streaker69 · 07-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsham11

Google!!!

Search: "share a wireless connection"!!!!!

1st result: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx

now, let's see, if you have two cards on one of your systems, then I guess the problem is kind of solved... not great, but it works... and since you're only connecting one system, you will be breaking no laws!

If the TOS/AUP says no sharing, then it means no sharing no matter how it's done.

Pyrotechnic · 07-17-2005

It shouldn't bother them, each connected computer will only get a proportion of the bandwidth so as far as they are concerned it's the same as only having 1 comp connected. The router will get the IP that would normally be asigned to the computer then give each comp connected to it it's own IP. I would still ask though.

wrzwaldo · 07-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

It shouldn't bother them, each connected computer will only get a proportion of the bandwidth so as far as they are concerned it's the same as only having 1 comp connected. The router will get the IP that would normally be asigned to the computer then give each comp connected to it it's own IP. I would still ask though.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!

WRONG!

Lets say that the wireless bandwidth (for aguements sake) is 10Mb and the connection to the world is DSL 1.5Mb. Now lets say there are 15 other legit (paid) users SHARING this connection to the world (are you starting to see the picture?). Now lets say that some cheap bastard decides the want to pay for a single connection and actually use multiple computers. Now this added (not paid connection) starts using the connection, where does that bandwidth come from? You guessed it, the other PAID connections!

So basically no matter how you slice it you still end up with a fucktard that is stealing from other users.

Thorn · 07-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsham11

Google!!!

Search: "share a wireless connection"!!!!!

1st result: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx

now, let's see, if you have two cards on one of your systems, then I guess the problem is kind of solved... not great, but it works... and since you're only connecting one system, you will be breaking no laws!

That's one way around one type of authorization, although it is a real kuldge. It is definately a theft if the TOS says "no sharing."

arsham11 · 07-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrzwaldo

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!

WRONG!

Lets say that the wireless bandwidth (for aguements sake) is 10Mb and the connection to the world is DSL 1.5Mb. Now lets say there are 15 other legit (paid) users SHARING this connection to the world (are you starting to see the picture?). Now lets say that some cheap bastard decides the want to pay for a single connection and actually use multiple computers. Now this added (not paid connection) starts using the connection, where does that bandwidth come from? You guessed it, the other PAID connections!

So basically no matter how you slice it you still end up with a fucktard that is stealing from other users.

Thanks for your comments, now this is for me to understand the issue better and I hope you don't take it the wrong way. Correct me if I'm wrong, but since we have only connected one system, we are still using the < max BW possible for one system, maybe using more portions of it, but not more than that and just sharing that with another system.

Since the airwave is shared using a backoff window in 802.11 as far as I know, then we would still have only one system participating in this process and therefore we would have the same chance of getting the airspace as any other machine. Then I guess this would not be any different than a system with constat streaming trying to get the airwave, and therefore making use of all the possible BW based on the number of connections.

On the other hand, you are correct as in if it is explicitly mentioned sharing is not allowed, then that is another story. My question is how would I be able to use more BW when I have only one physical connection and the 802.11 manages the arewave based on a backoff window process?

Thanks,

wrzwaldo · 07-17-2005

@ arsham11,

I assume you are talking about a routerless setup? My input is based on a bridge/switch/hub/router (hardware) configuration.

arsham11 · 07-17-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrzwaldo

@ arsham11,

I assume you are talking about a routerless setup? My input is based on a bridge/router configuration.

Yes, as I assume that would be the only setup working with any type of network structure and still limit the connection to what we are paying for.

07-16-2005	#1 (permalink)
carp4154 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2	Sharing Wifi The answer to this is probably already in the forum but I cannot seem to find it. We travel in our RV a great deal. More and more often we stay at campgrounds that have Wifi. In the vast majority of cases we have to pay for it - which is ok. Except we both have laptops and both want to be on line and it gets expensive. So - my question is - is there a router that can be used in a situation like this? Where it will pick up the signal and send it to both computers? We have a wifi router at home but it is wired to a DSL modem and there would be no modem in this situation. Thanks in advance. Shelley

07-16-2005	#7 (permalink)
arsham11 <-121-> Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: California Posts: 29	Just an idea.... Google!!! Search: "share a wireless connection"!!!!! 1st result: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...02april08.mspx now, let's see, if you have two cards on one of your systems, then I guess the problem is kind of solved... not great, but it works... and since you're only connecting one system, you will be breaking no laws! __________________ <-arS-121-Ham->

07-17-2005	#10 (permalink)
Pyrotechnic n00b+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK - Notts or Lincoln Posts: 68	It shouldn't bother them, each connected computer will only get a proportion of the bandwidth so as far as they are concerned it's the same as only having 1 comp connected. The router will get the IP that would normally be asigned to the computer then give each comp connected to it it's own IP. I would still ask though. __________________ Stumble and ye shall find. www.pyro-net.com

07-17-2005	#14 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,127	@ arsham11, I assume you are talking about a routerless setup? My input is based on a bridge/switch/hub/router (hardware) configuration. Last edited by wrzwaldo : 07-17-2005 at 01:05 PM.

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07-16-2005	#3 (permalink)
carp4154 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2	That is exactly what I want. Just like at home - I pay for one DSL and use it on 3 computers - Don't you do the same?