Traveler's Wireless
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:34 am
Wireless is one of those things I never got into. That's me being old-school.
My mom, however, is into wireless network access. This is mainly because she travels around the country a lot and makes use of the various Wi-Fi hotspots that RV campsites and truckstops make available to their customers.
Problem is, her laptop does not have a user-serviceable//replaceable antenna, nor does the laptop belonging to my stepdad. This is a problem for the two of them while traveling, as sometimes the built-in antennas aren't strong enough to pick up the wireless signal through the walls of their all-metal travel trailer.
What I am looking for is a device that has the following characteristics:
Strong reception capability
and
Acts like a residential router//gateway in that the two laptops connect to it, while the device itself does the grunt work of connecting to the local hotspot in a wireless fashion. It would be grand if the two laptops could connect to the device without wires as well, but that is not strictly necessary.
and
The device has your basic NAT//firewall functions, preferably with a relatively simple web configuration. Extra security, so long as it's easy to configure would be a plus.
--
I've been looking about, and I've seen various devices billed as 'travel routers' that might fit the bill. However, my inexperience with wireless plus a lot of confusing and mixed terminology is making it quite difficult to even figure out what class of device I want to recommend, let alone what brand.
Note that the device need not be super-compact in size, nor does it actually have to be a full-on 'travel product'. A desktop//wall-mount jobbie will do just fine, if it has the right capabilities.
Further note that the device will be pushing through the walls of an AirStream trailer for reception and transmission. (think: submarine on wheels) Being able to replace the device's antenna with something stronger or perhaps even directional is a big plus.
Anyone have any advice for me about such an electronic beast?
My mom, however, is into wireless network access. This is mainly because she travels around the country a lot and makes use of the various Wi-Fi hotspots that RV campsites and truckstops make available to their customers.
Problem is, her laptop does not have a user-serviceable//replaceable antenna, nor does the laptop belonging to my stepdad. This is a problem for the two of them while traveling, as sometimes the built-in antennas aren't strong enough to pick up the wireless signal through the walls of their all-metal travel trailer.
What I am looking for is a device that has the following characteristics:
Strong reception capability
and
Acts like a residential router//gateway in that the two laptops connect to it, while the device itself does the grunt work of connecting to the local hotspot in a wireless fashion. It would be grand if the two laptops could connect to the device without wires as well, but that is not strictly necessary.
and
The device has your basic NAT//firewall functions, preferably with a relatively simple web configuration. Extra security, so long as it's easy to configure would be a plus.
--
I've been looking about, and I've seen various devices billed as 'travel routers' that might fit the bill. However, my inexperience with wireless plus a lot of confusing and mixed terminology is making it quite difficult to even figure out what class of device I want to recommend, let alone what brand.
Note that the device need not be super-compact in size, nor does it actually have to be a full-on 'travel product'. A desktop//wall-mount jobbie will do just fine, if it has the right capabilities.
Further note that the device will be pushing through the walls of an AirStream trailer for reception and transmission. (think: submarine on wheels) Being able to replace the device's antenna with something stronger or perhaps even directional is a big plus.
Anyone have any advice for me about such an electronic beast?
