Wi-Fi Hotspots

RF Interference and Attenuation One of the biggest challenges when working with wireless networks is the RF interference and attenuation. It takes practice to develop the skills necessary to predict the coverage and performance of wireless networks to aid in a ... [full story]

Internet Connection Unavailable The hotspot user might be able to connect to the hotspot but might not be able to get to the Internet. What the User Should Do Users can do several things to help remedy their connection problem: Check the IP address ... [full story]

Poor Performance Users on your hotspot might experience poor performance, such as a slow Internet connection. What the User Should Do Following are several things users can try to solve poor performance issues: Move closer to the Wi-Fi hotspot Moving closer ensures that you ... [full story]

Frequent Disconnections Your hotspot users might experience an intermittent wireless connection to the Wi-Fi hotspot. What the User Should Do Users can do several things to try fixing an intermittent connection: Move closer to the Wi-Fi hotspot Moving closer ensures that you are not ... [full story]

Unable to See/Connect to the Wi-Fi Hotspot Sometimes users cannot view your Wi-Fi hotspot in their available wireless network list or cannot connect to the hotspot. What the User Should Do This list details several actions that users can perform that might fix ... [full story]

User Responsibilities Even though you can take precautions to make your hotspot safer and more secure, it is up to the users to ensure their security. Beware of the Risks The saying "Ignorance is bliss" might come back to haunt people who ignore ... [full story]

Hotspot Administrator/Owner Responsibilities You as the hotspot administrator or owner have the obligation to do many things to help ensure your hotspot users have a safe and secure experience. Inform Users of the Risks One of the most important responsibilities that you have ... [full story]

Understanding Everyone's Responsibilities Everyone has certain responsibilities when it comes to the safety and security of your Wi-Fi hotspot, as Table 10-1 illustrates. Table 10-1. Hotspot Administrator and User Responsibilities Hotspot Administrator/Owner The User Inform users of the risks when using a hotspot or unsecured ... [full story]

Monitor Your Hotspot Monitoring your hotspot, such as the usage logs, helps crack down on freeloaders and is needed because you cannot always see the users of your hotspot. For example, people might be connecting to the hotspot from outside your ... [full story]

Spell Out Usage Terms You should spell out the usage terms on your hotspot login or splash screens. To help fend off freeloaders, you could mention that the Wi-Fi hotspot service is provided only to customers of your business. You should also ... [full story]

Higher-Gain Antenna Although you will not see a huge increase in the wireless coverage area when you replace your wireless router or hotspot gateway "rubber duck" antenna with a higher-gain one, it is a good way to maximize the coverage area ... [full story]

Adding Access Points Expanding your Wi-Fi hotspot by adding APs mainly involves finding the right places to set up the APs within your facility and figuring out how to wire them back to the network. APs are similar to wireless routers and ... [full story]

Enabling and Disabling Your Network Adapter You should disconnect or disable your network adapter when you are not using your network. For security reasons, this is especially true when you are using unsecured wireless networks such as hotspots. Doing so also ... [full story]

RF Propagation You should be familiar with two different antenna types: Omnidirectional antennas Directional antennas Omnidirectional antennas propagate the Wi-Fi signals the same in all directions. Most manufacturers provide this antenna type on their APs, wireless routers, and client devices. Omnidirectional antennas do well ... [full story]

Wi-Fi System Operation All 802.11 technologies operate in the same manner. The operational functions, such as connecting, scanning, and roaming between APs, are controlled by the MAC layer, which is specified in the 802.11 standard. This section covers how the main ... [full story]

Comparing 802.11 Standards As mentioned in Chapter 1, "The Basics of Wi-Fi Hotspots," Wi-Fi networks use a technology that is specified within a standard called 802.11. The standard is basically written documents formed by members of the IEEE. These documents help ... [full story]

Sharing Printers One of the ways to share printers on a network is to connect a printer directly to a computer within the network and set it up to be shared in Windows. This is the method discussed in the following ... [full story]

Sharing Files One of the benefits of using wireless or wired networks is the ability to share files among the network users. Enabling sharing on hotspots and other networks that are not secured by encryption is not suggested. However, on private ... [full story]

Editing Your Preferred Network List The preferred network list is a prioritized list of networks you would like to connect to. You can add networks to the list, which saves time, especially when you are using encrypted wireless networks. Your wireless ... [full story]

Checking the Connection Status You can easily check the connection status of your wireless adapter. This status information can help when you are troubleshooting connection problems. Using the System Tray To quickly see the status of your connection, follow these steps: Step 1. Hover over ... [full story]

Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network Using the Windows XP Configuration Utility One of the first things you should know is how to connect to wireless networks because you must do so before you can access the Internet via your network. To ... [full story]

Toggling Between Windows XP and the Manufacturer Utility If you have not noticed yet, Windows XP has a built-in wireless configuration utility. In addition, most wireless adapters have a custom wireless configuration utility that you can use. Usually you can pick ... [full story]

Apply Usage Limits You can apply several usage limits to help reduce freeloading of your Wi-Fi hotspot. These limits are good to implement even if freeloading is not a big concern. Open/Closed Times If your hotspot location closes during the night and freeloading ... [full story]

Bridging the Gap Wi-Fi hotspots bridge the Wi-Fi connectivity gap between wireless networks in homes and businesses. People can access e-mail and other online services between home and work or while traveling. This allows them to keep up with customers, associates, ... [full story]

Set Up the Wireless Router To set up your wireless router, follow the manufacturer instructions that are included with the product. Some vendors might have written guides, and some might want you to use a CD that will help with the ... [full story]

Gather the Necessary Items The hardware for the simple free hotspot solution consists of a wireless router. When looking for the equipment, it is best to stick with the recommended products. These products are used in this book when showing applicable configuration ... [full story]

Set Up an Internet Connection You might already have an Internet connection established in your home. That is not much different from the Internet connection you could have for your hotspot. Whether or not you have experience with various Internet connections, ... [full story]

Choose a Hotspot Solution Of course, you can research the many different hotspot solutions yourself; however, this book will save you some time by discussing four possible solutions in detail. At least one of these solutions should work well for your ... [full story]

Figuring the Costs Hosting a hotspot does not come cheap, yet the benefits usually outweigh the costs. Typical operating costs you should anticipate while installing and hosting your Wi-Fi hotspot are as follows: Internet service $60 or more per month Equipment $40$500 one ... [full story]

Benefits of Hosting a Wi-Fi Hotspot The overall benefit or goal of hosting a Wi-Fi hotspot at your location is being able to offer high-speed wireless Internet access there. In addition to satisfying the needs of connectivity for your customers and ... [full story]

How Wi-Fi Works Wireless networks use a technology that is specified within a standard called 802.11. The standard is basically written documents formed by members of the IEEE. These documents help manufacturers develop wireless products so that they will work together ... [full story]

How Users Find Hotspots People find hotspots in many different ways: Online directories Software directories Display signs Wi-Fi finders Laptops/PDAs People who want Internet access while traveling can find hotspots in particular areas by searching online directories. They can view pertinent details of the hotspots, such as ... [full story]