Wireless connections to devices are pretty much the norm now. Using your phone with WiFi (to save money with Skype or GTalk), connecting your Tablet to the Internet, or just knocking out some email on your hotel bed …. WiFi is the way to go. Also, WiFi allows you to have all of these devices connected at the same time.
Unfortunately, some hotels and other public places have not yet caught up to our special road warrior needs. The ubiquitous RJ45 8-Wire Ethernet Connector is still a frequent method for hotels to offer Internet Access. Or if Wireless is offered, the signal can be so weak it is virtually useless.
Fear not … there is a simple option to create your own field of digital bits, right in your personal space.
Check out a Wireless Personal Router !
I personally use a D-Link DWL-G730AP (though it looks like there is an Upgraded Model to DAP-1350 Wireless N Pocket Router & Access Point)
These devices are small, cheap and simple to use.
(After Set Up) All you have to do is plug it in to a power outlet, and connect the hotel Ethernet cord in to the router. That is it ! It will then broadcast out the wired connection to as many devices you want to connect to. All of them sharing the same wired connection.
A word of caution – Set up the device the first time with an SSID you will recognize, and a Secret Passphrase (just like on your home wireless router). It is likely that the signal from the router will be strong enough that other rooms could get access to it. If another hotel guest does hop on, they could drain your bandwidth (less for you) and can use the miracle of the Internet for evil. You do not want to be called down to the front desk to explain some unusual porn site access or illegal downloads. Keep the connection secure, and you will be just fine.
Other Uses:
Share a single Wired Connection to multiple Wireless Laptops at Work Meeting
Use the USB mode to connect any Printer to a Wireless Network
Use the WAP Mode to connect a wired Ethernet Device (Older Laptop, XBOX, etc.) to a Wireless Device.
The Devices are under $100, and you get get them anywhere. Below is a link to the latest D-Link one from Amazon:
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