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Networking & wireless: Extending wifi reception in a hotel
Extending wifi reception in a hotel
by kalyfrans - 11/6/09 2:21 PMI frequent a casino hotel about once a month. I always stay in the same suite. It may be on different floors, but all are identical whether its #100, #300, #600, etc. The problem I face is that even though the entire building is wired for wifi, I can only pick up a signal (almost 100%) in the living room of the suite. Usually there is zero signal in the bedroom. My question is, what can I do to get a signal to the bedroom? Some type of antenna? A repeater? I would not be able to do any adjusting with the hotel's system, so everything done would have to be done on my end. Any assistance would be mucho appreciated!
Is there a wired connection?
by Coryphaeus - 11/7/09 5:55 AM In reply to: Extending wifi reception in a hotel by kalyfransIf so there are some small portable wireless "routers" that can plug into a power outlet and the LAN connection that will give you your own wireless network in the room. Sorry, but I can't remember the exact one but I have seen them.
Or how about this for 25 bucks?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156038
Just carry it with you.
I'm not certain what you mean by...........
by kalyfrans - 11/7/09 6:15 AM In reply to: Is there a wired connection? by CoryphaeusI'm not certain what you mean by "is there a wired connection," but the $25 router would be perfect if it would do the job. I had thought about buying one, but I know so little about this subject, I didn't know if it would work or not. If I had this router, would all I have to do is plug it up to AC and go with it? Would I have to make any settings or would it automatically pick up the wifi signal and then "boost" it throughout the entire suite? Thanks!
Range extenders
by bill091 - 11/7/09 7:56 AM In reply to: I'm not certain what you mean by........... by kalyfransIf you search this forum you will see the question about range extenders/antenna asked and some solution.
I have used
ftp://files.dlink.com.au/products/DWL-G710/Datasheet/DWL-G710_datasheet_03.pdf
With mixed results. I think the is a old model now anyway.
There are 2 type of range extenders you can buy. The easier of the 2 only uses wireless to wired. The best way to look at this type is a external wireless adapter attached to your computer with a ethernet cable. This is simpler but of course is limited by you ability to place the unit in a location where it can get signal and that you can get a cable run to. The other type is wireless in and out. When it works its great but it can be a huge pain to get working because you now have 2 wireless connections.
In your case I would ask the hotel what they recommend. I am sure they get this question all the time. I am sure they would like to get your problem solved rather than having to fix a issue you caused to other guests by setting something up on your own that messes them up.
Hotel hookup, etc.
by kalyfrans - 11/7/09 8:45 AM In reply to: Range extenders by bill091The hotel folks don't have a clue. The wifi system is leased from a company that only comes in every now and then for adjustments. The room I am concerned with is the very last room on a hall with 40 rooms on each side. By the time the signal makes it to my room, it does not have the strength to "turn the corner" and go into all the rooms in the suite. If I can just purchase one of these things that connects to my PC with Ethernet, and then to the hotel signal wirelessly, I'd be happy as a lark. It would be simple if it worked. The downside is I hate to "roll the dice" and spend 80 smokes on a gadget that may or may not get the job done. I just left Radio Shack in hopes they could shed light on the situation and at least explain to me what the various devices do so I could understand better and hopefully visualize what I needed. And I thought I was dumb!!!! If you have Radio shack stock, you may want to consider selling!
Most hotels . . .
by Coryphaeus - 11/7/09 5:42 PM In reply to: I'm not certain what you mean by........... by kalyfransthat have wireless also have the LAN jack in the room. If your PC does not have wireless you can plug it into the wired LAN connection.
Or you can buy that router and plug it into the wired LAN connection and use the router's wireless connection.
I'm scared
by kalyfrans - 11/7/09 5:56 PM In reply to: Most hotels . . . by Coryphaeusthat I am not asking the right question, so let me state the given and what I propose and you can approve or disapprove it.
My PC has wireless. It will pick up a strong wifi signal in the LR of this hotel suite, but when I move into the bedroom, there is no signal. They have no LAN jacks. Can I buy a wireless router or repeater, place it in the LR, turn it on, and send a signal wirelessly to the bedroom?
I apologize for my lack of wireless technology knowledge .
People will do that in buildings they own
by Steven Haninger - 11/7/09 6:16 PM In reply to: I'm scared by kalyfransYou can certainly find repeaters that you can place between the hotels wireless transmitting device and your room. If you can find an outlet somewhere in the hallway they might use for vacuum cleaners and such, you'd plug it in there but I wouldn't want to promise it would be there when you went to retrieve it.
I'll see if I can
by kalyfrans - 11/7/09 6:25 PM In reply to: People will do that in buildings they own by Steven Haningerbuy a cheap one somewhere. If not, I'll get one from Walmart and take it back if it doesn't work! Thanks so much for your assistance. How can I let you know if it works?
I can see one possible difficulty
by Steven Haninger - 11/8/09 3:44 AM In reply to: I'll see if I can by kalyfransThe motels I've stayed in don't just have an open wifi system. You are blocked at their router/firewall until you validate your permission to access their network. It may be that a repeater might not be plug and play and that you'd need assistance from the motel to get it to work. I believe you said their wifi is done by a third party provider, however. If this happens, your leverage could be that you are a regular guest and that wifi is an advertised feature of that motel. Though they may say it's "free", it's not. You are paying for it. If it's not available in your particular room, the motel ownership should be the ones responsible to improve their infrastructure. Perhaps you could lean on them to resolve your problem.
That's where I was going . . .
by Coryphaeus - 11/8/09 4:57 AM In reply to: I can see one possible difficulty by Steven HaningerIf they advertise it they should make it work. Either request a room where you can pick up a signal or pitch a fit.
Same with a TV in the room. It's free but if it doesn't work you call the front desk.
Adding some more vartables and thanking all for your help...
by kalyfrans - 11/8/09 11:07 AM In reply to: I can see one possible difficulty by Steven HaningerThe wifi at this hotel is free to all, even those in the parking lot, the lobby, anywhere within range. No code needed. I can complain but it would be like licking a gift horse in the mouth. My rooms at this casino resort are completely comped. They could very easily move me to another room or suite with 100% reception. However, this particular suite is one I prefer.
There is only one suite like this on each floor of this particular 8-story hotel tower,and the wifi problem is the same in all 8. Each suite is very spacious because they go all the way across the end of the building; hence, windows on 3 sides. From the living room view nothing can be seen but a large field surrounded by woods. I have seen as many as 500+ deer feeding in this field at dusk and dawn. This is a view that cannot be duplicated anywhere. This view alone is worth a trip to this resort. Short of spending a ton of money, the wifi cannot be extended any more than it is because of concrete walls and steel structures that were in place long before wifi was even a dream. It could be done, but would be cost prohibitive for 8 bedrooms.
I didn't mean to open a can of worms here, but was merely hoping for a simple solution to my individual problem. If need be, I could definitely have a wireless repeater or router in the LR, and then run a Ethernet cable from it to the PC in the bedroom when in use. No problem at all. I just need to know what type of repeater or router to purchase.
Thanks to all for your contributions! If you'd like, I'll get you a heck of a deal if not free room at this casino. Sorry, money to play with is your responsibility!
I like this
by samkh - 11/8/09 11:29 AM In reply to: Adding some more vartables and thanking all for your help... by kalyfransBuy one
by samkh - 11/8/09 8:12 AM In reply to: I'll see if I can by kalyfransthat you can definitely return if it doesn't work.
Repeaters are notoriously disappointing AND your mileage will vary depending on the building construction and other 2.4GHz interference. A repeater's half-duplex mode almost guarantees it will fail to provide solid wireless connection, let alone handle modulations of that signal.
Warning - here's a solution(?) that's downright terrible but it will work. Get a WiFi end-point (most repeaters have RJ45 ports and can serve as such) and an ethernet cable to run to your laptop. Place the endpoint in the LR and a cable run to the bedroom. Didn't I say it was awful?
You're right...a terrible solution
by Steven Haninger - 11/8/09 8:25 AM In reply to: Buy one by samkhIt will be especially difficult to handle the cable pull while riding the elevator. 
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