Network Access on the Road

[carolinarider09]

When I travel I like to use the network in my hotel for my Roku device (to watch what I want to watch) and for my laptop.

The last two hotels I have stayed in, the one in Asheville and this one tonight, I have had issues connecting my laptop to the network.  In Asheville, my laptop would only connect to the network when I left the room (had to be 30 feet away from the room or more).  In the hotel today, the network connection for my Roku device got set up but my laptop will only connect to several websites.  Its as if the network in the hotel is limiting my connections and what websites I visit.  I can visit this website but not Facebook.  Well that is not true, I just visited facebook but it was not at all like what I see at home.  So, something is going on with the way I am connecting to the hotels network.  While I can call the help desk and maybe get it fixed, what I want is something permanent. 

While I have a cell phone and could set up a hot spot there, I'd rather not.

So, what I have heard I can do is I can get a network device that will act as a bug (much like my network device at home ).  I would be able to log that device into the network and then I would make all my connections to that device and never have to log on to the hotel's network from individual devices.

So, I would like to know what, which, devices I should look at.

Again, my understanding is that I would be able to connect my laptop to the device, then connect that devcie to the network and then use that device as a hub for other devices. 

[RDAbull]

I travel quit a bit and for years have had a policy of never hooking up to any public wifi networks.
I use my iPhone hot spot exclusively.  Security is very important.  I have never had a problem with band width with this system.

[carolinarider09]

Ok more information about the hotspot is needed.   

What would I expect for down load and upload speed.  I need at least 30 Mbps, 50 would be better. 

[scooperhsd]

So, what you want is a hot spot of your own that is getting its network connection from the Hotel's Wifi. That is basically a router type function. If you want to roll your own, Take a Raspberry Pi running Linux with 2 wifi devices on it.

Or, you might be able to share your network connection from a Windows PC that has 2 Wifi devices - one to connect to the hotel, one for your "private network". This one is probably easier for non-Linux people to do.

The other option is to get a Cell phone provider hotspot that rides off their  cell service and provides you your own Wifi hotspot. For infrequent use , under the right plan, you can use your Smartphone for this purpose. I'm pretty sure such a service is available from Verizon and AT&T, and maybe T-Mobile as well. Prices and speed will vary.

[carolinarider09]

My cell phone has the option for a hotspot.  I was just concerned about the data down load and how much data I might use.  I run the Roku 4k device full time (well while I am awake) when I am in the hotel room. 

I don't do much with the MacBook unless I want to upload some videos of my trips to YouTube and then there its a need to be able to upload 300mb or os for several videos. 

However, I do have several Raspberry Pi's (at home) that are just sort of sitting around not doing much.  I forget what operating system they are running. 

Can you point me to a tutorial on how I might setup the Raspberry Pi's for this purpose.  I would rather have the Pi sort of plug and play without the need to have the keyboard and mouse you normal use to run, use the device.

[scooperhsd]

My knowledge on Linux / unix  (basically what the PI's are running) isn't sufficiently good enough to help you on that. I did use a Linux box WAY back when Linux was first becoming a thing and I was sharing a dialup connection between 2 Windows boxes over 10B2 thinnet, so I'm pretty sure it's possible, I just don't know the details enough to help you.

[hubcapsc]

I use Linux. I have an iphone. All I have to do is go to settings/personal-hotspot on my phone
and click "allow others to join". Wifi and Bluetooth are off. I hook a usb chord from my iphone to
my laptop, and my laptop thinks it is hardwired to ethernet. I'm used to extra slow
DSL, so the speed is awesome to me. The cell phone company counts all the bytes
though.

-Mike

[Valkorado]

I wouldn't use public WiFi unless behind a legitimate paid VPN service at the least.  

Slow Roku service can be due to speed limits.  Some lodging establishments have their ISP blacklist and throttle down certain devices and applications known for heavy bandwidth consumption such as video streaming and large downloads.  Or they'll just throttle heavy bandwidth usage period.

That said, if you're behind a VPN they don't know what platform your using our what you're up to and public access speeds can often "magically" improve.  If you're at a mom and pop B&B type place that has a slower provider they might get suspicious if other users or their office computers hit a big speed bump.

I know some of the top paid VPN services can work with Roku units.  It can be Googled. I correct myself, seems more difficult with Roku on a motel router.  I can't stand Roku.

I use Android "boxes" and Fire sticks.  I also pee TV (use IPTV).  Both types of devices I use accept Android VPN apps, and I've noticed a huge improvement in video streaming when behind VPNs opposed to not --  even when compared to being connected directly to my provider without using VPN.  They're throttling.

Many paid VPN services allow usage on multiple devices, even simultaneously.  The services are reasonable priced.  

All this said, I still try to avoid shopping, banking, etc. on public WiFi even when behind a VPN.  Video streaming doesn't concern me nearly as much.

Ya can't be too careful!

[carolinarider09]

I have done some programming but that was years ago and it was C++

I read somewhere on the net about using a router like device for hotel/motel use.  I have not tired to look it up again but it was basically a black box that you connecter your laptop to and then, using your laptop you would connect that device to the network.  

Once that was done, the network saw the black box as a single connection and did not care that multiple devices were using it.  

These last two stays have been the most exasperating for me since, while the process of connecting my Roku devcie to the network is a little tricky.  The Roku device, when it thinks I am connecting to a dorm room or similar wifi system, set's itself up as a wifi device and I connect my laptop to it (using wifi).

Then, the minute I make that connection, the laptop pops up the log on screen (just as if I was using the laptop to connect to the hotel wifi) and I log in.  

Once that is done, the Roku's wifi connection goes to sleep and I can then connect my laptop as a separate device to the hotels wifi.

That is not iffy.   It works and it does not work.  As I said, in Asheville, I could connect to the network only when I was 30 feet or more away from my room.  

It is possible (but in the last two years I have been making road trips it has never happened before) that the Roku wifi and the hotels wifi are now in competition.  I don't know why.  It might have to do with recent update to the MacBook's operating system but.......  

[carolinarider09]

My MacBook uses Bitdefender and while I have used a VPN a couple of time son the road, I have found it to be a little strange.  Bitdefender coupled with the Mac's operating system seems to provide all the security I need. 

I don't see a rational reason to use a VPN on the Roku device.  I guess there is log in information for some of the services I use that I use to purchase movies and such with.  This Roku device is only used on the road. 

However, my issue is with the process of connecting the internet in Hilton run hotels.  I have not tired other brands since I started having the problem.

For instance, when the network connections works for this MacBook Air here in this hotel, the connection speed is in excess of 50mbps (using Speedtest.net).  And the speed test works each time I try but when I try and connect to this forum, it works sometimes and sometimes it does not. 

Meanwhile the Roku device is streaming away, no issues. 

[carolinarider09]

Ok, I did some of my own research and found this device.  It costs $20.

GL.iNET GL-MT300N-V2 Wireless Mini Portable Travel Router, Mobile Hotspot in Pocket, WiFi Repeater Bridge, Range Extender, OpenVPN Client, 300Mbps High Performance, 128MB RAM

I purchased it from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073TSK26W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It arrived yesterday and while setup might be a little confusing, I did get it setup at home, tied to my home's internet service and I used my MacBook Air to connect to the device and it worked.  I did not try the Roku device but since the Roku setup for an internet connection is simple, if you don't have to use a hotel's login system, I am not concerned. 

Internet service ranged is estimated to be about 20 feet from the device.  Well within nominal range for a hotel room. 

Speed at home (home network speed is generally 100Mbps) was 30Mbps, using Speedtest.net. 

I will test it on the road soon.

It has two ways to connect to the internet.  One is wired and the other is wireless.  I will test the wired connection later today or tomorrow. 

[scooperhsd]

Looks good . Much better than the raspberry PI route.

[carolinarider09]

Still got the Raspberry Pi upstairs in my "special" room.  I fire it up once a month just to see if it still works.  Has not failed me yet.  A very interesting device.

[carolinarider09]

Tested the wired connection at home yesterday.  Plugged a Cat 5 cable into one of my network switches.  Plugged to other into the device.  Autoamcticaly connected.  Speed as before.

Got a chance to use the new switch on the road today.  Used it via a wired network connection in the motel room.  Plugged in, after powering the unit up, and then connected to the unit using my MacBook. 

Automatically got the hotels log in screen and it all worked. 

Logged three devices into the switch and all work as excepted.  This thing is really cool.

Next try it with a hotel's wireless system.  Do that tomorrow. 

Iif I am not mistaken, using this device gives me some aspects of a VPN, but not being an expert I know remember reading that somewhere.  All anyone looking at the device would see is the device, not the devices connected through it to the network world.

[carolinarider09]

Got a chance today to check out the wireless connectivity.  You have to change a setup function but when I did that, it worked like it did with the hardwired connection.  

So, it's a keeper.

The issue today was that when I checked in to Hampton Inn, I was given a little piece of paper that said to connect to the wireless internet I was to enter a promotion code.

Usually, you have to enter your name and room number and then you get an option to select high speed for an additional charge.  Being someone who knows enough to know he is dangerous in some activities, I followed the hotel's instructions.  I was connected but the upload speed is only 2Mbps and the download is only 4Mpbs.  Had I done it my way, selected the room and name and then premium internet service, I would probably have gotten double that speed or more.

I have not taken the step of trying to disconnect and re-connect using the "standard" method I am use to.  

But, it works.  All my devices connect to the little router and I don't have to worry about connecting each device.  

At $20 I am considering buying a spare device.  The darn thing is smaller than a pack of cigarettes and only needs two cables, one for power and the other is a CAT 5 cable.   And, today, you don't really need that but I liked wired if I can get it.

[scooperhsd]

Just got mine today. Might be useful for lots of "portable uses". Making this post using it as my PC Wifi to it being connected via Wifi.

[carolinarider09]

Really????   Did you get the same unit?

[scooperhsd]

Yes - it sounded interesting, and I think it could be extended quite nicely with the correct tools (hardware wise). Possibly the One that could do 5GHz band would be more versatile, but this one is not too bad. I can some applications for it in my life, anyway.

[scooperhsd]

I maybe a well educated guy, pretty up to date on IT matters - but I DO NOT PRETEND to know everything about everything. The theory of such a device and it's capabilities was certainly within the realm of possibilities, I had just not had a reason to search one out before.

[carolinarider09]

The reason I searched for one was because I started having problems logging into wifi systems using my MacBook at a couple of Hampton Inns.

I generally only use two devices when I am at a hotel/motel, my laptop and my Roku device. 

Having to log in with both devices was getting very cumbersome. 

With this device I only have to stumble through the log in process once. 

And now, all our devices can connect without any additional work.

And yes there is a another device by the same company that has 2.4 and 5.0 G service. 

I just can't find it now.  It was $40+ on Amazon. 

[scooperhsd]

Yes I saw that also. But this should do what we were looking for.