Cindy wrote:
> Sooner Al [MVP] wrote:
> > You might consider a small travel type wireless router.
> > http://www.netgear.com/Products/Rout...rs/WGR101.aspx
>
> Hi Al Sooner (Sooner Al?),
>
> I like your suggestion.
>
> Not only is this deck-of-card sized wireless router an interesting
> potential addition to my travel kit, but, it also would give me the
> freedom to move around the room while connected.
>
> Currently, I'm "tethered" to the desk by wire; but I vastly prefer to
> work on the bed with all those fluffy pillows spread around (not to
> mention my VOIP calls back to the states tethered to the computer via
> headphones and a mic to avoid the pillaging and plundering that goes on
> with overseas phone calls from my room). It would be great to make
> those VOIP calls lying down in my nice comfortable bed with the
> convenience bar only an arms' length away.
>
> I have one theoretical question with this method ...
> I called the hotel who said they key off the MAC address. If I were to
> use the wireless router (which I don't have, but I ask this to better
> understand the solution) ... would the hotel then key off the MAC
> address of the wireless router and not off the two wireless laptops
> "connected" to the wireless router?
>
> Would that solution be any better (or different theoretically) than if
> I purchased a small hub (switch?) and some long CAT5 ethernet cable?
>
> This is very interesting to me, so I hope you respond, so we all
> benefit,
> Cindy


It's my understanding that the MAC address is used to verify the
equipment you registered w/ the Front Desk is actually getting the IP
address they set aside for you.

In other words, giving them the MAC address from the Wireless Router
would be the way to go; it should 'shield' your downstream laptop(s)
from view by the Hotel's Networking and 'bing, bing- Bobs your Uncle.

While the Netgear device looks sexy enough you should perhaps study and
verify if what it's putting out meets your hardware's needs or not.
(Likely it'll be OK.)

Lastly, all things being equal there remains the common experience of
wired being faster than wireless and too many cooks on the wire
spoiling the soup (there may be a time when the wireless device
represents a device too many between you and the Internet for example.
I mention it but I myself find it a _remote_ possibility.)

Enjoy, hth.
TBerk