Re: WiFi connections and management - Hotspots and Home LANs



"Snapper" <snapper_won@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:47c5d9e6$0$11508$c3e8da3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Todd All*** wrote...

The "zero-config" wireless on WinMo devices works quite well IF all the
networks you connect to use DHCP. Unfortunately, unless you use it at
home, you'll constantly have to switch between fixed IP and server assigned-
I know of no workaround.

Pity. I need fixed IP addresses so port forwarding on my ADSL router will
work properly. I don't know of any other way to do that, hence the fixed
IPs.

What about UPnP port forwarding? The router then opens the port for whatever device asks for it, doesn't it?


Catch-22- the non-"literate" generally don't use static IPs on home networks,
so it's not usually a problem. Generally, "public" WiFi networks
(restaurants, hotels, airports, etc.) are all DHCP.

What about encryption? Surely hotspots aren't all free and would require
some sort of method to lock out non-paying users. Setting encryption must
bring you back to the same thing with respect to DHCP configuring.

Most public hotspots use browser-based authentication. You connect to the network without encryption, try to open any web page and the browser is "hijacked" and directed to a login page (free Hotspots generally make you accept a T&C page, paid ones demand payment.) Then your MAC address is recorded and granted access for whatever time period you purchase. Using encryption would be a pain, because unless they change the keys frequently, any purchase would grant you access "forever" or at least until the next keychange. Better systems (like in many "business hotels") offer encrypted access as well, then give you the key and authenticate you via the browser like an open system.


When I got home after playing around with the PDA and the wifi hotspots I
had to reconfigure it to reconnect to my own network including re-entering
the passphrase for the encryption system. I use WPA encryption so there's
only one passphrase. If you use WEP you have to enter four separate codes
none of which are structured words. Rather, they appear as randomly
generated alphanumeric characters.

While WEP allows up to four keys, you don't need to enter or use all four. Essentially it's four stored keys, and a selection of which key is currently the active one. I just populate key 1 and select "1" as the key to use.

As far as being structured words, they can be if you stick to words comprised of only the letters A thru E! BE_A_DEAD_BEE makes a nice easy to remember 10-digit WEP key! ;-)






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