Free internet for DVC members

[Lesprivate]

I just read this on allears.net. Free internet for DVC members in 2008.

http://www.allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm#12507

[dcfromva]

I just read this on allears.net. Free internet for DVC members in 2008.

http://www.allearsnet.com/news/hnews.htm#12507

Yes, WebmasterDoc posted this as it was announced at the annual meeting: (see post #13 ) (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1653544) That is just awesome news! :thumbsup2


DC

[Caskbill]

You can find WebmasterDoc's full report about the information presented at the annual meeting, in This Thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1653544), as posted on the DVC-Operations board.

[LVSWL]

WooHoo!!:cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[penlanspice]

That's great news. We always spend a fortune on the Internet connection.

[SamSam]

:dance3: This makes me a very happy DVC member!!

[BWV Dreamin]

Is there only "one drop" or connection per room? If one were to rent out a 2 bdrm. villa, would there be a internet drop in the studio, main living room area, and master bedroom area? Could be a little tough if there were only one connection for a party of 8 !:wizard:

[BWV Dreamin]

Does each type of villa have only one drop or internet "connection"? Would a 2 bdrm. villa say have a drop in the studio, main living area, and master bedroom area? Or would there only be one "connection" per villa available? This could be tough for a party of 8?:wizard:

[Chuck S]

AS far as I know (at OKW) there is a drop in the studio portion and the living room/dining room area of a two bedroom lockoff. I don't know if dedicated 2 bdrms have the same configuration for internet, or not.

[nuts]

Is there only "one drop" or connection per room? If one were to rent out a 2 bdrm. villa, would there be a internet drop in the studio, main living room area, and master bedroom area? Could be a little tough if there were only one connection for a party of 8 !:wizard:

Bring a wireless router and your problem is solved! Plus you can sit out on your balcony and remain connected :)

[BWV Dreamin]

Bring a wireless router and your problem is solved! Plus you can sit out on your balcony and remain connected :)

Oh you are too smart!!!!!:thumbsup2

[BCV23]

At BCV, there is an outlet in the living room and in the second BR near the table in lockoffs.

In our 1 BR at SSR, there was an outlet in the desk in the master BR. I didn't have my laptop along though so can't attest to it working.

[JimMIA]

One option some use is to take a wireless router with them. Hook that up to the ethernet line and you have wireless Internet anywhere in the villa.

[aprince&princess]

Per Doc's thread, the service is free when staying on points.

[spaddy]

So this only starts in 2008? I am going next week. It's a little dissappointing. I am still excited for next trip.

[DVC Mater]

One option some use is to take a wireless router with them. Hook that up to the ethernet line and you have wireless Internet anywhere in the villa.

Hey Jim,

that is a great idea. do you have any experience in doing that? Is it easy to hook up? I haven't used Disney internet yet, but most of the hotels i've stayed at require a sort of log in page thru IE, and I am unsure how you would negotiate that with a router.:confused3

[DisDaydreamer]

I'd be even happier if HHI & VB brought some sort of connection to the rooms. :)

[PatsMom]

I think this is great news. My company likes me to "stay in touch" but I refuse to leave my cell phone on. So we've settled for checking my e-mail every morning before we head out to the parks.They were very surprised when I told them they would have to reimburse me for the internet charges if they wanted me to communicate with them! They'll be happy in February when I tell them it is now free.

[BWV Dreamin]

I'd be even happier if HHI & VB brought some sort of connection to the rooms. :)

Rob, if I'm not mistaken, there is already wireless available in the lobby of Vero Beach. So, maybe those with OVIR ressies will have access to WIFI!

[DebbieB]

I'm at BWV right now in a dedicated studio and am hooked up behind the nightstand (where the box is). There is another hookup next to the TV stand.

[JimMIA]

Hey Jim,

that is a great idea. do you have any experience in doing that? Is it easy to hook up? I haven't used Disney internet yet, but most of the hotels i've stayed at require a sort of log in page thru IE, and I am unsure how you would negotiate that with a router.:confused3
I have not personally, but I've seen a number of posts to this effect here. I don't think it's a big deal, but I don't know the technical specifics. Hopefully, someone more technically proficient than I can explain it more thoroughly.

[SamSam]

The Linksys Wireless G-Travel Router Model #WTR54GS is both a wired and wireless router which will allow you to have a single wired connection while having multiple wireless connections simultaneously. It is secure and is virtually transparent while in use. With the router pre-configures, which is quite simple via the instructions, any computer logged into the router can establish the connection to the internet. Then multiple computers logged into the router can have simultaneous internet access for brousing and e-mail.

It is truly quite slick, quite secure and quite simple to set up. I highly recommend this particular router for this use.

[JimMIA]

The Linksys Wireless G-Travel Router Model #WTR54GS is both a wired and wireless router which will allow you to have a single wired connection while having multiple wireless connections simultaneously. It is secure and is virtually transparent while in use. With the router pre-configures, which is quite simple via the instructions, any computer logged into the router can establish the connection to the internet. Then multiple computers logged into the router can have simultaneous internet access for brousing and e-mail.

It is truly quite slick, quite secure and quite simple to set up. I highly recommend this particular router for this use.
What he said.

See how easy that was?

[BUDDYBEAR]

THAT IS GREAT NEWS :banana: :banana:

[DMKEDM]

There's got to be a skunk at every garden party...that's me here & now...

We've used a router to allow up to 3 laptops to get on via high-speed internet and it worked great a year ago. This past year, we used the router again (which works perfectly at home) to hook up two laptops...we got dumped off after about 5-6 minutes every single time.

My DS, the "computer genius" (actually, he's "merely computer competent," which tells you what an ignoramus I am!) says it likely was something in the Disney system preventing multiple computers to access on just one internet access "purchase"--

Maybe they'll remove the "barrier" once internet access is free next month?

But the router did not work for us last month...It worked perfectly at home prior to going to Disney, and is working perfectly again now that we're back...DS tried all sorts of different configurations, and nothing prevented the internet "dump" after about 5-6 minutes...

So we wound up hooking up his laptop to the intenet via the cable, and I just used dial-up...

Sorry!

[Esmerelda]

This is great news...! Being as we have a business here at home...we have to be able to at least have email available while we are at Disney. We certainly don't spend hours at a computer but we still check our email about 3times per day.

Just another great DVC perk for us...how delightful!

Esmerelda

[sajetto]

I am thrilled! I've been hoping for free internet since we joined :cool1:

[DisDaydreamer]

Rob, if I'm not mistaken, there is already wireless available in the lobby of Vero Beach. So, maybe those with OVIR ressies will have access to WIFI!

You are right... I go to the lobby to do my work, but I would really like to do this in my room. Don't get me wrong.... I want to escape from my work, but I need to know what is going on to be able to relax.

I know that starbox got a wireless connection from her room at VB, but I think she was right above the antenna..... I would like for VB to extend wireless to all the rooms... Free of charge. Sounds like the WDW resorts will offer free Internet, but I haven't yet heard about HHI or VB. Maybe the lower maintenance fees are coming back to bite some.

Really, I just wish all DVC was with the program...

Just me...

[disneynutz]

There's got to be a skunk at every garden party...that's me here & now...

We've used a router to allow up to 3 laptops to get on via high-speed internet and it worked great a year ago. This past year, we used the router again (which works perfectly at home) to hook up two laptops...we got dumped off after about 5-6 minutes every single time.

My DS, the "computer genius" (actually, he's "merely computer competent," which tells you what an ignoramus I am!) says it likely was something in the Disney system preventing multiple computers to access on just one internet access "purchase"--

Maybe they'll remove the "barrier" once internet access is free next month?

But the router did not work for us last month...It worked perfectly at home prior to going to Disney, and is working perfectly again now that we're back...DS tried all sorts of different configurations, and nothing prevented the internet "dump" after about 5-6 minutes...

So we wound up hooking up his laptop to the intenet via the cable, and I just used dial-up...

Sorry!

I was told last week by the company that supplies the Disney World Resorts their internet access that we are allowed to connect more then one computer to the LAN. The hitch is that they can not be connected at the same time. The connection does time out if you do not refresh the web page. I was working on a very long email with several attachments and before I could send it, I got logged off. :sad2:

[kgc07]

Great news!!!:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

[MinnieGi]

Hooray!!!!! I'm so excited. We used to pay the connection fee for the day before check-out so we could check-in to SouthWest. Now it'll be free!!! :)

[miwdwfan]

This is great news.

[BWV Dreamin]

I was told last week by the company that supplies the Disney World Resorts their internet access that we are allowed to connect more then one computer to the LAN. The hitch is that they can not be connected at the same time. The connection does time out if you do not refresh the web page. I was working on a very long email with several attachments and before I could send it, I got logged off. :sad2:

Well what good is that? Is that only for wireless ? I wonder if that also goes for mulitple ethernet connections? Hopefully with this new change, they will allow multiple access.

[disneynutz]

Well what good is that? Is that only for wireless ? I wonder if that also goes for mulitple ethernet connections? Hopefully with this new change, they will allow multiple access.

This is for the hard wired connection. Let me explain. The connection rental is per line, not per computer for a hard wired connection. I can connect my work computer and do my business. Then my DW can connect her computer and we are only charged the $9.95 for 24 hours. On the WiFi you are charged per machine connection. If I connect I get charged. I use it for five minutes @ $9.95. My DW connects via WiFi and she is also charged $9.95.

[SueM in MN]

In our 1 BR at SSR, there was an outlet in the desk in the master BR. I didn't have my laptop along though so can't attest to it working.
That's what we found at SSR too. We called to check because I did not want to be sitting at the desk on my computer. I'll used to wireless access and I wanted to be able to at least DIS in the living room, sitting on the couch.

[BWV Dreamin]

This is for the hard wired connection. Let me explain. The connection rental is per line, not per computer for a hard wired connection. I can connect my work computer and do my business. Then my DW can connect her computer and we are only charged the $9.95 for 24 hours. On the WiFi you are charged per machine connection. If I connect I get charged. I use it for five minutes @ $9.95. My DW connects via WiFi and she is also charged $9.95.

Ok, I understand this from a paid perspective. But now that it is free, shouldn't we be able to use the wireless router(since it is only hooked up to one drop)? I don't see how they would be able to know how many were on at the same time if you bring in your own router. Its still one hard wired connection. Now if you were using THEIR router, I could see how they could monitor that.

[BWV Dreamin]

The Linksys Wireless G-Travel Router Model #WTR54GS is both a wired and wireless router which will allow you to have a single wired connection while having multiple wireless connections simultaneously. It is secure and is virtually transparent while in use. With the router pre-configures, which is quite simple via the instructions, any computer logged into the router can establish the connection to the internet. Then multiple computers logged into the router can have simultaneous internet access for brousing and e-mail.

It is truly quite slick, quite secure and quite simple to set up. I highly recommend this particular router for this use.

Thanks, I am going to purchase one and try it out. We will have 3 laptops on my trip in April at BWV so hopefully any changes if any will happen by then. I hope others post if they try this after January to see how it is working. Thanks again! :goodvibes

[highoctane]

Ok, I understand this from a paid perspective. But now that it is free, shouldn't we be able to use the wireless router(since it is only hooked up to one drop)? I don't see how they would be able to know how many were on at the same time if you bring in your own router. Its still one hard wired connection. Now if you were using THEIR router, I could see how they could monitor that.

Every Computer has its own ESN (Electronic Serial Number), your computer sends this out every time you login to the Internet, I don't know how often a computer sends this but, they could tell if two different ESNs are using it at the same time and then kick you off. Sorry my nerd side is showing

[BWV Dreamin]

Every Computer has its own ESN (Electronic Serial Number), your computer sends this out every time you login to the Internet, I don't know how often a computer sends this but, they could tell if two different ESNs are using it at the same time and then kick you off. Sorry my nerd side is showing

Well this sorta gets beyond my expertise (:goodvibes ), however maybe someone else can chime in on how this is detected? Still having a hard time understanding this if your already logged in with the wireless router so to speak. There is no logging on, just connecting to the wireless router.

[pilferk]

Well this sorta gets beyond my expertise (:goodvibes ), however maybe someone else can chime in on how this is detected? Still having a hard time understanding this if your already logged in with the wireless router so to speak. There is no logging on, just connecting to the wireless router.

I'm going to try to simplify it down to make it make some sense.

Think of the ESN like a license plate on your car, and the router like a gate guard to a gated community (or WDW resort, if you'd prefer).

The gate guard will let pretty much anyone LEAVE (ie: sends all traffic out to the larger network) but watches the traffic and will only let IN the traffic with the right license plate numbers (ESN's) that are on it's "list". Oh, and every time a car leaves, the gate guard plunks a big old sticker on your windshield. That helps the old guy to make sure he can flag you down when you whiz by him, so you don't take a wrong turn.

Now, to make it more complex, there is ANOTHER gate guard (probably more than one) that controls traffic into and out of Dinsney's overall "neighborhood" (ie network). THAT gateguard is watching both your license plate AND the sticker on your windshield. That way it knows exactly where you belong so it can better route traffic to the right place. By looking at those license plates and stickers, it can tell just how many licesnse plates belong to any stickers. It's POSSIBLE that it could be configured to only allow ONE license plate per sticker OR that if it sees stickers of the wrong color, shape, or size at all (in other words, routers not specifically allowed to access it's network), it could not let you leave/return.

That's vastly oversimplified, but it's a relatively clear picture on how Disney can monitor router traffic coming through it's network.

[BWV Dreamin]

I'm going to try to simplify it down to make it make some sense.

Think of the ESN like a license plate on your car, and the router like a gate guard to a gated community (or WDW resort, if you'd prefer).

The gate guard will let pretty much anyone LEAVE (ie: sends all traffic out to the larger network) but watches the traffic and will only let IN the traffic with the right license plate numbers (ESN's) that are on it's "list". Oh, and every time a car leaves, the gate guard plunks a big old sticker on your windshield. That helps the old guy to make sure he can flag you down when you whiz by him, so you don't take a wrong turn.

Now, to make it more complex, there is ANOTHER gate guard (probably more than one) that controls traffic into and out of Dinsney's overall "neighborhood" (ie network). THAT gateguard is watching both your license plate AND the sticker on your windshield. That way it knows exactly where you belong so it can better route traffic to the right place. By looking at those license plates and stickers, it can tell just how many licesnse plates belong to any stickers. It's POSSIBLE that it could be configured to only allow ONE license plate per sticker OR that if it sees stickers of the wrong color, shape, or size at all (in other words, routers not specifically allowed to access it's network), it could not let you leave/return.

That's vastly oversimplified, but it's a relatively clear picture on how Disney can monitor router traffic coming through it's network.

Thank you for that visualization! :thumbsup2 Lets hope Disney will allow more more "cars" in and out of its "neighborhood" so that we will become a happy "community" ! Thanks again, this makes more sense.:wizard:

[salmoneous]

Hooray!!!!! I'm so excited. We used to pay the connection fee for the day before check-out so we could check-in to SouthWest. Now it'll be free!!! :) Just in case you have a cash stay in your future - the lobby concierge folks will check you in and print out your boarding passes for free.

[kapeman]

Suppose you used a wireless router that has the ability to clone a MAC address, wouldn't this get by the ESN issue?

It would definitely fix the issue of multiple PCs connected via wire.

[pilferk]

Suppose you used a wireless router that has the ability to clone a MAC address, wouldn't this get by the ESN issue?

It would definitely fix the issue of multiple PCs connected via wire.

I think it should, and it's pretty much what I plan to try in early January, if my router doesn't work "plug and play".

I'm not sure most of the posters on the forum, though, have the technical know how to get their router to do it. I'd expect MOST people want "plug and play"....and don't want to have to login to the admin module of the router and go mucking around with settings.

[kapeman]

I think it should, and it's pretty much what I plan to try in early January, if my router doesn't work "plug and play".

I'm not sure most of the posters on the forum, though, have the technical know how to get their router to do it. I'd expect MOST people want "plug and play"....and don't want to have to login to the admin module of the router and go mucking around with settings.

True, but it is usually a check-box or a button to push.

It's not much harder than going in and changing the default password, which is easy, but, admittedly, many people don't even do that!

[BWV Dreamin]

I think it should, and it's pretty much what I plan to try in early January, if my router doesn't work "plug and play".

I'm not sure most of the posters on the forum, though, have the technical know how to get their router to do it. I'd expect MOST people want "plug and play"....and don't want to have to login to the admin module of the router and go mucking around with settings.

Since I plan on buying the posted travel router, could you post the directions if you do make changes for cloning the MAC address? I will only be using this router for DIS trips, so once I make the changes, I will leave them. Post your experience in January if you would!

[BWV Dreamin]

The Linksys Wireless G-Travel Router Model #WTR54GS is both a wired and wireless router which will allow you to have a single wired connection while having multiple wireless connections simultaneously. It is secure and is virtually transparent while in use. With the router pre-configures, which is quite simple via the instructions, any computer logged into the router can establish the connection to the internet. Then multiple computers logged into the router can have simultaneous internet access for brousing and e-mail.

It is truly quite slick, quite secure and quite simple to set up. I highly recommend this particular router for this use.

Just looked this up, this is the same router I have at home! Why is this called a "travel" router? :goodvibes You would have to set this up at home with a SSID and a password first.

[WolfpackFan]

I hadn't seen this posted yet. This came from the Annual DVC Meeting -

Starting in 2008, all Disney Vacation Club members staying at DVC resorts on points will receive free internet access.

[Caskbill]

WebmasterDoc reported this on 12/4. Take a look at the full report of the annual meeting in This Thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1653544).

[TammyAlphabet]

This is really great and definitely a perk that I will use. On my next trip, it will save me 100 dollars. I am quite pleased with DVC at the moment. Now, if Disney would just fix the dining plan.

[Kurby]

does this mean that we have to bring our own laptops or will there be a computer available in a common area?

[Charlesaway]

I think this is great news as well. Honestly, when the $40 a night Knight's Inn room has complimentary internet access, you come to expect it from higher level establishments.

[Caskbill]

We had three different threads about the OKW internet on this board, and one on the DVC-operations board.

The three threads on this board have been merged into a single thread. Please keep your comments to this thread. There is no need to start additional threads concerning the internet access at OKW.

Thanks.

[pilferk]

True, but it is usually a check-box or a button to push.

It's not much harder than going in and changing the default password, which is easy, but, admittedly, many people don't even do that!


Exactly my point. :)

[pilferk]

Since I plan on buying the posted travel router, could you post the directions if you do make changes for cloning the MAC address? I will only be using this router for DIS trips, so once I make the changes, I will leave them. Post your experience in January if you would!


Sure.

One caveat: I'm waffling between buying the travel router mentioned, and using my existing Netgear router...just unplugging it and taking it along for the ride as we're driving down.

If I buy the travel router, I'll post instruction if I need to make any changes to the settings. If I go the other route, I'll let you know, as well.

[DebbieB]

I think this is great news as well. Honestly, when the $40 a night Knight's Inn room has complimentary internet access, you come to expect it from higher level establishments.

I travel frequently for work, the high end hotels do charge for it (Hilton, Marriott), while the cheaper ones don't (Hampton Inn, Courtyard Marriott).

[BWV Dreamin]

Here is the travel router recommended on this post...looks alot different than my home router. Hope it works!! Can't wait to try it! :goodvibes
http://www.buy.com/prod/linksys-wireless-g-travel-router-with-speedbooster-wtr54gs/q/loc/101/201684913.html

[SamSam]

Here is the travel router recommended on this post...looks alot different than my home router. Hope it works!! Can't wait to try it! :goodvibes
http://www.buy.com/prod/linksys-wireless-g-travel-router-with-speedbooster-wtr54gs/q/loc/101/201684913.html

My Dh posted about this router. While I don't have any technical knowledge of it, I do know it works. :) We've used it twice while at WDW, and it worked perfectly. Very handy, when we're both on our laptops (yes, we have to take work with us).

[BroganMc]

I think it should, and it's pretty much what I plan to try in early January, if my router doesn't work "plug and play".

I'm not sure most of the posters on the forum, though, have the technical know how to get their router to do it. I'd expect MOST people want "plug and play"....and don't want to have to login to the admin module of the router and go mucking around with settings.

Hold on guys. This doesn't make sense to me. Granted I'm a web design geek and not a network engineer but I always understood that tracking a computer on the net ends and begins with the IP. (ESNs are for cell phones.) The broadband connection assigns a unique IP to the first user computer it sees. A wireless router is actually a computer and so becomes the first it sees. The wireless router then uses NAT to assign internal IPs to any connected wireless computers (on Linksys that would be 192.168.1.xxx). As far as the internet world sees you only have one attached computer to the network = the router itself. No matter what computer you use to check your IP address on the network it will report only the one assigned to your router.

I haven't tried connecting a router to any hotel broadband so I'm not certain how the Terms of Service agreement is handled. However, I've been told by others that they can and do use wireless routers routinely at Disney and Marriott.

(Oh ok, a little research tells me once you plug in the router, the challenge questions will just be asked of the first laptop bringing up its browser. Accept the Terms and your router is all ready to share.)

On a sidenote, HURRAH FOR DISNEY! They finally listened to members on this. Or rather they bowed to peer pressure. It was just nuts going from my free wireless at Marriott to a paid Disney the next week. Given that Disney actually gives you wired connections, I think it may actually work out better in Florida. The Marriott's use wireless networks. IMHO wireless and hotels can be hit & miss. All that steel and concrete leads to many dead spots. Horizons by Marriott never worked outside the Front Desk area.

[BWV Dreamin]

Hold on guys. This doesn't make sense to me. Granted I'm a web design geek and not a network engineer but I always understood that tracking a computer on the net ends and begins with the IP. (ESNs are for cell phones.) The broadband connection assigns a unique IP to the first user computer it sees. A wireless router is actually a computer and so becomes the first it sees. The wireless router then uses NAT to assign internal IPs to any connected wireless computers (on Linksys that would be 192.168.1.xxx). As far as the internet world sees you only have one attached computer to the network = the router itself. No matter what computer you use to check your IP address on the network it will report only the one assigned to your router.

This was my original thought also, however I couldn't have put it so eloquently as you! Unless there is some special set up with the resorts, I don't know why this shouldn't work. :wizard:

[cymomtx]

When we were at SSR at Thanksgiving I found a free Internet connection (WiFi), but I could not log on to it. I wonder if this was them testing it out?

[BroganMc]

When we were at SSR at Thanksgiving I found a free Internet connection (WiFi), but I could not log on to it. I wonder if this was them testing it out?

They're offering free WIRED internet at SSR. SSR does not have a wireless internet service but rather has ethernet drops in every room.

What you may have seen is someone else's wireless network setup using a travel router but with restrictions on who can connect. Seeing a network and being able to join it are two different things. Geeks frequently go driving through an area looking for broadcasting wireless networks and will log on to any unsecured one for some freebie internet use (unauthorized, mind you). That's why anyone who has a wireless network at home should turn off broadcasting of their network SSID and use some sort of security (MAC address filtering is the easiest to configure and most secure). You wouldn't want Jimmy down the street using your broadband to download the latest Hollywood movies and your ISP telling MPAA that the infringing IP was yours.

All the info on how to do this is easily available in your router user manuals. You access the router security programs via a web browser, making it very easy to secure a network.

[cymomtx]

NO, This was a FREE WIFI connection. There just was no directions on how to get to the web site to access it. I know the difference between unsecured and secured connections, believe me when my broadband goes down, I use my neighbors unsecured connection. Usually, when you go to Panerra or Starbucks, their website pops up and you have to agree to their rules to use their WiFi and that is what I kept searching for when we were at SSR. There is definatly a WiFi connection there, but at the time there was no connection to the web page for the agreement for usage.

[pilferk]

Hold on guys. This doesn't make sense to me. Granted I'm a web design geek and not a network engineer but I always understood that tracking a computer on the net ends and begins with the IP. (ESNs are for cell phones.) The broadband connection assigns a unique IP to the first user computer it sees. A wireless router is actually a computer and so becomes the first it sees. The wireless router then uses NAT to assign internal IPs to any connected wireless computers (on Linksys that would be 192.168.1.xxx). As far as the internet world sees you only have one attached computer to the network = the router itself. No matter what computer you use to check your IP address on the network it will report only the one assigned to your router.

I haven't tried connecting a router to any hotel broadband so I'm not certain how the Terms of Service agreement is handled. However, I've been told by others that they can and do use wireless routers routinely at Disney and Marriott.

(Oh ok, a little research tells me once you plug in the router, the challenge questions will just be asked of the first laptop bringing up its browser. Accept the Terms and your router is all ready to share.)


Traditionally correct.

MOST networks simply base traffic on IP number/address. That's layer 3 addresses and they work just fine. But there are other bits (no pun intended) that can be used as a network identifier. This includes Mac address. Some refer to the Mac addy's as ESN's or EUI's, but they're functionally the same thing. Those are layer 2 addresses.

Even though the IP number on a "standard" router directed packet would contain the correct IP number, the transmission would also contain the PC's (well, ethernet card, actually or wireless network card's) or routers mac addy. The ARP cache, maintained on the network, would not "agree" when comparing the crosswalked IP with the Mac Addy of the router, since you had to INITIALLY connect via a wired PC. Most networks would ignore that, mostly, but you CAN configure a network to sniff them out and limit them, so you can only broadcast from those Mac addresses designated by the network as "acceptable". If you set up the router to clone the mac address, it won't matter since every broadcast will contain the same Mac addy (the routers AND your nic cards) and the ARP cache will "agree".

At least that's the way I understand it.

Whether Disney is, in fact, going through all that "trouble" on their network, I don't know. I'll report back what happens to me in early January and let you all know....though we'll only be using ONE laptop, connected to the wireless router, because it sounds like the only network drop is in the Living room, and we'll want to use the PC in the bedroom, after the kids are asleep, to upload pics and to post here on the DIS. :)

[highoctane]

NO, This was a FREE WIFI connection. There just was no directions on how to get to the web site to access it. I know the difference between unsecured and secured connections, believe me when my broadband goes down, I use my neighbors unsecured connection. Usually, when you go to Panerra or Starbucks, their website pops up and you have to agree to their rules to use their WiFi and that is what I kept searching for when we were at SSR. There is definatly a WiFi connection there, but at the time there was no connection to the web page for the agreement for usage.

Were you in one of the buildings closest to downtown Disney? We were in one in that area last January and every once in a while I could get a strong enough signal to log into it, once I was connected I would just type in the web address that I wanted to go to and it went. I thought it may have been coming from DTD area.

[BWV Dreamin]

Traditionally correct.

MOST networks simply base traffic on IP number/address. That's layer 3 addresses and they work just fine. But there are other bits (no pun intended) that can be used as a network identifier. This includes Mac address. Some refer to the Mac addy's as ESN's or EUI's, but they're functionally the same thing. Those are layer 2 addresses.

Even though the IP number on a "standard" router directed packet would contain the correct IP number, the transmission would also contain the PC's (well, ethernet card, actually or wireless network card's) or routers mac addy. The ARP cache, maintained on the network, would not "agree" when comparing the crosswalked IP with the Mac Addy of the router, since you had to INITIALLY connect via a wired PC. Most networks would ignore that, mostly, but you CAN configure a network to sniff them out and limit them, so you can only broadcast from those Mac addresses designated by the network as "acceptable". If you set up the router to clone the mac address, it won't matter since every broadcast will contain the same Mac addy (the routers AND your nic cards) and the ARP cache will "agree".

At least that's the way I understand it.

Whether Disney is, in fact, going through all that "trouble" on their network, I don't know. I'll report back what happens to me in early January and let you all know....though we'll only be using ONE laptop, connected to the wireless router, because it sounds like the only network drop is in the Living room, and we'll want to use the PC in the bedroom, after the kids are asleep, to upload pics and to post here on the DIS. :)

Can you post how to "clone" the mac address? I have gone into my Linksys router, and can only find how to filter the mac addresses so as to only allow those addresses you want(the ones on your wireless cards on all your wireless pc's/laptops). I don't see a "clone" option.
My router is a Wireless "G" with speedbooster.

[pilferk]

Can you post how to "clone" the mac address? I have gone into my Linksys router, and can only find how to filter the mac addresses so as to only allow those addresses you want(the ones on your wireless cards on all your wireless pc's/laptops). I don't see a "clone" option.
My router is a Wireless "G" with speedbooster.

Every router is a bit different. Yours may, or may not, offer the option. It's typically a check box option under the "advanced" options...and you usually have to login to the actual router with your admin password to see them.

Not having any experience with your particular router...I have a Netgear at home...I can't give you SPECIFIC instructions (click by click). Maybe one of the other posters can help you out. You could also do a google search on "mac address clone linkys" and see what pops up. I did, but the first links I found were pretty old.....you might find something more recent there.

This is the most recent thing I could find:

http://support.t-mobile.com/knowbase/root/public/tm51414.htm

[BWV Dreamin]

Every router is a bit different. Yours may, or may not, offer the option. It's typically a check box option under the "advanced" options...and you usually have to login to the actual router with your admin password to see them.

Not having any experience with your particular router...I have a Netgear at home...I can't give you SPECIFIC instructions (click by click). Maybe one of the other posters can help you out. You could also do a google search on "mac address clone linkys" and see what pops up. I did, but the first links I found were pretty old.....you might find something more recent there.

This is the most recent thing I could find:

http://support.t-mobile.com/knowbase/root/public/tm51414.htm

Ok, I know where that tab is. I will just snoop around, but it should only be a matter of a check box you say? To enable clone mac address? Thanks for all your help! Let us know after your Jan trip how it all went.

[nzdisneymom]

I know the difference between unsecured and secured connections, believe me when my broadband goes down, I use my neighbors unsecured connection. Usually, when you go to Panerra or Starbucks, their website pops up and you have to agree to their rules to use their WiFi and that is what I kept searching for when we were at SSR. There is definatly a WiFi connection there, but at the time there was no connection to the web page for the agreement for usage.

Just thought I would point out that hopping on someone's unsecured connection without their permission is a crime in Florida - 3rd degree felony if prosecuted. Not that I think anyone is out there looking for hoppers, but just thought I'd mention it (I was just reading an article related to this and it stuck in my head). Here's the law: Florida Statute 815.06 (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0815/SEC06.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0815->Section%2006#0815.06). There are plenty of unsecured networks that are designed / expected to just be hopped on, but as mentioned, many users of wireless routers don't do anything to secure their networks. Just because the door is unlocked doesn't mean it's ok to enter.

You can find out more information about cyber-security here: Secure Florida dot org (http://www.secureflorida.org/)

[pilferk]

Ok, I know where that tab is. I will just snoop around, but it should only be a matter of a check box you say? To enable clone mac address? Thanks for all your help! Let us know after your Jan trip how it all went.

Mine's a simple check box...and then I have to click a button (which is greyed out until I click the check box) to have it actually get the PC's mac address and apply it to the router.

That's pretty much it.

[BWV Dreamin]

Mine's a simple check box...and then I have to click a button (which is greyed out until I click the check box) to have it actually get the PC's mac address and apply it to the router.

That's pretty much it.

I guess I don't quite understand what you mean by "clone" a Mac address? What I have done at home is to filter out or "restrict" other mac addresses other than the ones on our wireless pc's. Only those addresses have been entered and enabled, and any others that try to get into the network won't have permission because they haven't been entered onto the mac address list. This is a security measure. How does the "clone" option you mention enable our wireless pc's attach to the network at a dvc resort using a travel router? Does your router specifically say "clone"? I would think if I set this travel router up at home, put in the specific mac addresses of the laptops we will be using, enable the filter for each address and we should be on. I guess I don't get what "clone" means or is doing to access the network.

[pilferk]

I guess I don't quite understand what you mean by "clone" a Mac address? What I have done at home is to filter out or "restrict" other mac addresses other than the ones on our wireless pc's. Only those addresses have been entered and enabled, and any others that try to get into the network won't have permission because they haven't been entered onto the mac address list. This is a security measure. How does the "clone" option you mention enable our wireless pc's attach to the network at a dvc resort using a travel router? Does your router specifically say "clone"? I would think if I set this travel router up at home, put in the specific mac addresses of the laptops we will be using, enable the filter for each address and we should be on. I guess I don't get what "clone" means or is doing to access the network.

It specifically says clone, on my router.

Your PC has a mac address. When you first "sign on" to Disney's network, via wired connection, with your PC, the network probably makes note of your Mac address on your PC and stores it in their ARP cache. You HAVE to sign on their network that way, currently, to pay the fee and enable access in your room the first time (and probably subsequent times, once every 24 hours).

When you then hook your router up, it doesn't see that as having the same mac address, so won't allow it to connect to their network. Sort of what you do, on your router, at home...only it's Disney trying to control the traffic.

By having your router "clone" your PC's mac address (ie: the router takes on the SAME mac address as your PC used to connect to the Disney network, initially...and no, they won't conflict), the Disney network THINKS your router is your PC....and thus allows it to connect to the network.

All assuming Disney is restricting traffic, at all.

Cable companies have done this for YEARS, restricting traffic to only the Mac addys found during initial setup, so many router manufacturers have provided an automatic way to "clone" a PC's network card/wireless card mac address.

[BWV Dreamin]

It specifically says clone, on my router.

Your PC has a mac address. When you first "sign on" to Disney's network, via wired connection, with your PC, the network probably makes note of your Mac address on your PC and stores it in their ARP cache. You HAVE to sign on their network that way, currently, to pay the fee and enable access in your room the first time (and probably subsequent times, once every 24 hours).

When you then hook your router up, it doesn't see that as having the same mac address, so won't allow it to connect to their network. Sort of what you do, on your router, at home...only it's Disney trying to control the traffic.

By having your router "clone" your PC's mac address (ie: the router takes on the SAME mac address as your PC used to connect to the Disney network, initially...and no, they won't conflict), the Disney network THINKS your router is your PC....and thus allows it to connect to the network.

All assuming Disney is restricting traffic, at all.

Cable companies have done this for YEARS, restricting traffic to only the Mac addys found during initial setup, so many router manufacturers have provided an automatic way to "clone" a PC's network card/wireless card mac address.

Thank you for this explanation! Makes much more sense now. Ok, so how would multiple laptop's connect if your only cloning one mac address?

[pilferk]

Thank you for this explanation! Makes much more sense now. Ok, so how would multiple laptop's connect if your only cloning one mac address?

The answer is: it depends (and thus, why I'll be testing in early Jan).

IF the Disney network is set up in the more simplistic (and industry standard) method, it's only looking at the mac address of the access point (in this case, first the wired PC to buy/get access, and then the router with the "cloned" mac address from that first PC). Other PC's connecting to the router will be "piggybacking" on the cloned mac address of the router.....so their "different" mac address shouldn't matter....they're not obvious to Disney's network without additional "sluething". That's the best case.

The alternative is that Disney has set up a much more elaborate security system than your average cable company has, engages in some packet sniffing of their network traffic, and ferrets out there are too many "broadcasters" assigned to the one cloned mac address. It's feasibly possible they could do it, but, quite frankly, I'd be shocked if they did. IF they do....there's no work around for connecting multiple machines that I know of. There might be one (I should say..there PROBABLY is one)...I just don't know it.

Again, all this is assuming they're filtering traffic at all. They didn't used to, as of Jan '06...because I was able to use a work router to set up a quick little wireless network for our conference attendees at the contemporary with no issues. That may have changed, though.

[BroganMc]

The ARP cache, maintained on the network, would not "agree" when comparing the crosswalked IP with the Mac Addy of the router, since you had to INITIALLY connect via a wired PC.

Ah well, then it's no problem.

To setup a wireless network at SSR you would first plug in the router, then turn on your laptop, and lastly log into your web browser to accept the Terms of Service. Disney's network records records the first MAC it sees: the router. Your other computers are essentially hidden since NAT is handled internally via your router. It's a subnet within a net (or actually a subnet of a subnet of yet another subnet as the internet tends to be. Don't ya just love the technology?) At least these are the instructions I was given for the process. Kinda makes sense if you realize to even get the browser challenge page you would already have to be assigned an IP and have a network connection established. They just wouldn't allow external surfing until you went through the pay gateway. (Also, I believe the pay rates are only recording access to a room jack and not the particular computer. Whenever I had to get refunds for service or saw charges it was designated per room.)

I'm wondering how they will designate between staying on points and cash. Will we be given some sort of entry code to bypass the pay screen? Also, what happens if you stay on points Sun-Thurs then use a member discount for Fri & Saturday? You're never checking out.

Sidenote: I do have a Linksys 54G router. There's a tab on the initial setup screen for MAC Address Clone with a button to "Clone your PCs MAC". I just did that the old fashioned way of IPCONFIG /ALL and wrote down my MAC on a piece of paper. Funny how easy they make things these days. Oh, and the Linksys travel router uses the internal addresses of 192.16.1.xxx.

Oh and second question, I forgot. Where's the jack in SSR studios? I think it's by the table, right?

[pilferk]

Ah well, then it's no problem. To setup a wireless network at SSR you would first plug in the router, then turn on your laptop, and lastly log into your web browser to accept the Terms of Service. From then on the network recognizes your access and records the first MAC it sees: the router. At least these are the instructions I was given for the process. Kinda makes sense if you realize to even get the browser challenge page you would already have to be assigned an IP and have a network connection established. They just wouldn't allow external surfing until you went through the pay gateway. (Also, I believe the pay rates are only recording access to a room jack and not the particular computer. Whenever I had to get refunds for service or saw charges it was designated per room.)




Hmmm, interesting. The method you describe simply wouldn't work back in Jan of '06, for me. I plugged in the router, attached to it via laptop (tried both wireless and wired connections), and couldn't get the browser to load the TOS page. I had to jack the PC in, to the wall jack, before it would load the TOS page. However, once I "bought" access, the router worked just fine....which makes me think that you're right: They're only monitoring access via room jack. Not even IP or Mac address. Or they were about 2 years ago.

[BWV Dreamin]

Ah well, then it's no problem.

To setup a wireless network at SSR you would first plug in the router, then turn on your laptop, and lastly log into your web browser to accept the Terms of Service. Disney's network records records the first MAC it sees: the router. Your other computers are essentially hidden since NAT is handled internally via your router. It's a subnet within a net (or actually a subnet of a subnet of yet another subnet as the internet tends to be. Don't ya just love the technology?) At least these are the instructions I was given for the process. Kinda makes sense if you realize to even get the browser challenge page you would already have to be assigned an IP and have a network connection established. They just wouldn't allow external surfing until you went through the pay gateway. (Also, I believe the pay rates are only recording access to a room jack and not the particular computer. Whenever I had to get refunds for service or saw charges it was designated per room.)

So you would do this after you set up your router to clone the mac address of the laptop that your initally using to plug into the router at the resort? Then any additional laptops would just look for the ssid and connect?

[BroganMc]

I had to jack the PC in, to the wall jack, before it would load the TOS page. However, once I "bought" access, the router worked just fine....which makes me think that you're right: They're only monitoring access via room jack. Not even IP or Mac address. Or they were about 2 years ago.

Oh? Hmm, then that suggests they are simply using the browser challenge to activate jack service and don't care what ends up plugged into the jack later. I take it you didn't do MAC cloning on the router?

Still begs the question how they'll dilineate point nights from pay nights, unless there's some sort of coupon code given. I imagine having the Front Desk inform the broadband provider which nights for which rooms are points can get cumbersome. Much easier to have the broadband provider implement an extra line item on the sign-up screen to accept a coupon code that bypasses the required fee.

[BWV Dreamin]

Ah well, then it's no problem.

To setup a wireless network at SSR you would first plug in the router, then turn on your laptop, and lastly log into your web browser to accept the Terms of Service. Disney's network records records the first MAC it sees: the router. Your other computers are essentially hidden since NAT is handled internally via your router. It's a subnet within a net (or actually a subnet of a subnet of yet another subnet as the internet tends to be. Don't ya just love the technology?) At least these are the instructions I was given for the process. Kinda makes sense if you realize to even get the browser challenge page you would already have to be assigned an IP and have a network connection established. They just wouldn't allow external surfing until you went through the pay gateway. (Also, I believe the pay rates are only recording access to a room jack and not the particular computer. Whenever I had to get refunds for service or saw charges it was designated per room.)


Sidenote: I do have a Linksys 54G router. There's a tab on the initial setup screen for MAC Address Clone with a button to "Clone your PCs MAC". I just did that the old fashioned way of IPCONFIG /ALL and wrote down my MAC on a piece of paper. Funny how easy they make things these days. Oh, and the Linksys travel router uses the internal addresses of 192.16.1.xxx.


So you would do this after you set up your router to clone the mac address of the laptop that your initally using to plug into the router at the resort? Then any additional laptops would just look for the ssid and connect?
Thanks for the Linksys 54G router info.!

[kapeman]

It shouldn't matter which you plug in first.

If you are cloning (spoofing is a better term) the MAC address of the laptop any communication via the router will use that MAC address.

So as far as the network is concerned that laptop is the one doing the talking.

[BroganMc]

It shouldn't matter which you plug in first.

It would if Disney isn't authorizing general web access until you pass the browser challenge. Altough for that to be true, and if memory serves, what may be happening is that Disney is assigning IPs for an intranet with heavily restricted internet access (basically just the browser challenge screen and Disney's home website). Once you pay then the restrictions are removed and you can use the internet in general.

What would solve this question is if someone had paid for service then connected two different laptops to the in-room jack. If it works without any browser challenges, then I suspect no MAC addressing is even being registered as an authorizing agent.

What puzzles me is why pilferk was unable to get the browser challenge with his router-to-laptop setup in '06. By all acounts it should have worked. All I can figure is that perhaps that router had issues or perhaps the DNS was never assigned.

Dang, I wish I was there now to run a few trace routes and ipconfigs. Anyone reading from Disney and willing to be a reporter for us? PM me and I'll give you some instructions. If not, I'll be there myself in about 3 weeks. I'll get my geek fix then and report back.

[disneynutz]

Smart City doesn't care if you use more than one computer on your paid for network connection. Depending upon the resort there may be a multi port router already installed. I know at Beach Club, there is a 4 port router under the desk. What they can't answer is if a travel router will let you pass the required web browser authentication.

[pilferk]

Oh? Hmm, then that suggests they are simply using the browser challenge to activate jack service and don't care what ends up plugged into the jack later. I take it you didn't do MAC cloning on the router?


Correct. Did NOT have to Mac clone at the time. It was someone's more recent experience, that people were getting "kicked off" their wireless router every few minutes not too long ago, that brought out the mac cloning sugestion. My PERSONAL experience is outdated, so things might have changed (or might not have), but I didn't have to do anything special once I "purchased" access at the time.


Still begs the question how they'll dilineate point nights from pay nights, unless there's some sort of coupon code given. I imagine having the Front Desk inform the broadband provider which nights for which rooms are points can get cumbersome. Much easier to have the broadband provider implement an extra line item on the sign-up screen to accept a coupon code that bypasses the required fee.

That I don't know. Maybe by reservation type? I mean, giving free access to ALL the villas would be easy by jack number. But, as you point out, a small number of those will be in use by pay night guests. Maybe they'll throw it in to those ressies, too? Maybe they just won't "advertise" the benefit for pay per night guests, but those checking will find the jacks active? Or maybe their reservation system has a way to flag the room and activate the jack (or deactivate it) based on ressie type.

We'll have to wait until we can get clarification from DVC or til someone stays there on cash to see what happens.

I'll report back what I find with my router, though, in January.

[pilferk]

What would solve this question is if someone had paid for service then connected two different laptops to the in-room jack. If it works without any browser challenges, then I suspect no MAC addressing is even being registered as an authorizing agent.



I did just that, back in '06. Once I'd purchased access in the room, we hooked up at least 2, and maybe 3, different PC's directly to the jack, at different times, when the router was in use down in the conference center for some presentations).

We never had a challenge screen show up until the 24 hours was "up" (though I don't think they were contiguous hours, at that point...I seem to remember it being a "daily" charge....so 9.95 each calender day...but I could be misremembering. I wasn't paying the bill, so didn't really watch the charges too closely).

[pilferk]

Smart City doesn't care if you use more than one computer on your paid for network connection. Depending upon the resort there may be a multi port router already installed. I know at Beach Club, there is a 4 port router under the desk. What they can't answer is if a travel router will let you pass the required web browser authentication.

That's pretty much what I suspected.

So the issue I had may have been inherent to the router I was trying to use, or to using a "travel router" to pass the web browser authentication.

All things considered...it wouldn't surprise me.

[BroganMc]

Pilferk, what you're describing points more to a router issue with access granted per room jack. "Getting kicked off a wireless router" (or rather no longer being able to access the network) sounds suspiciously like an internal network problem to me. Like I've said before, in buildings with a lot of concrete and steel wireless routers have a more difficult time maintaining connections. Travel routers which do not have external attennas have an even harder time achieving an appropriate spread. It may be that users moved their laptops into a deadspot (around that concrete wall, for instance) and lost it.

A bit of Occam's Razor to me, methinks.

FWIW, in reading roduct reviews on this Logitech travel router I've quite a few varied reports on coverage issues. Some will say it only works if you're within 10 feet, others say they can surf well outside their rooms. I tend to think not all built-in laptop attennas are the same.

[disneynutz]

We will be at BCV and SSR starting next week. I am taking the travel router along. I will post my results. :santa:

[BroganMc]

We will be at BCV and SSR starting next week. I am taking the travel router along. I will post my results. :santa:

Oh good. Do me a favor and run a trace route and ipconfig so we can see what Disney is assigning. I've been trying to determine who their provider is as well.

[cymomtx]

Just thought I would point out that hopping on someone's unsecured connection without their permission is a crime in Florida - 3rd degree felony if prosecuted. Not that I think anyone is out there looking for hoppers, but just thought I'd mention it (I was just reading an article related to this and it stuck in my head). Here's the law: Florida Statute 815.06 (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0815/SEC06.HTM&Title=->2007->Ch0815->Section%2006#0815.06). There are plenty of unsecured networks that are designed / expected to just be hopped on, but as mentioned, many users of wireless routers don't do anything to secure their networks. Just because the door is unlocked doesn't mean it's ok to enter.

You can find out more information about cyber-security here: Secure Florida dot org (http://www.secureflorida.org/)

No, I don't live in Florida, and I have advised my neighbor that their network is unsecured and how to secure it for their protection. They chose not to secure it.

[nzdisneymom]

No, I don't live in Florida, and I have advised my neighbor that their network is unsecured and how to secure it for their protection. They chose not to secure it.

I only posted about this because the discussion was about hopping on others' internet connections while at WDW and many people (not necessarily DISers, but people in general) think it is ok to just hop on someone's connection because if they don't secure it, they must not care.

Good for you for notifying and educating your neighbor about securing their network -- they should hear some of the horror stories about what happens to people who don't secure their networks. We recently had a class at work presented by the Florida Computer Crime Center and it was eye-opening to a lot of people about how easily their identity can be stolen as well as how easily they can get in a mess by not securing their networks, taking months to unravel. We live in a college town and students are the worst about not securing.

[pilferk]

Pilferk, what you're describing points more to a router issue with access granted per room jack. "Getting kicked off a wireless router" (or rather no longer being able to access the network) sounds suspiciously like an internal network problem to me. Like I've said before, in buildings with a lot of concrete and steel wireless routers have a more difficult time maintaining connections. Travel routers which do not have external attennas have an even harder time achieving an appropriate spread. It may be that users moved their laptops into a deadspot (around that concrete wall, for instance) and lost it.

A bit of Occam's Razor to me, methinks.

FWIW, in reading roduct reviews on this Logitech travel router I've quite a few varied reports on coverage issues. Some will say it only works if you're within 10 feet, others say they can surf well outside their rooms. I tend to think not all built-in laptop attennas are the same.

Could be. One of the reasons I want to test it when I'm there. Because I, too, wonder if the issue was one with the router or the laptops and not the network access.

I wasn't the one making the original suggestion on cloning the mac address...another poster (kapeman) did that. I simply expanded on the hows and whys of it working IF what the initial poster who was getting "kicked off" suspected was true. A game of "what if", if you will.

[BWV Dreamin]

. FWIW, in reading roduct reviews on this Logitech travel router I've quite a few varied reports on coverage issues. Some will say it only works if you're within 10 feet, others say they can surf well outside their rooms. I tend to think not all built-in laptop attennas are the same.

The router I posted a pic of was a Linksys Travel router. Are you using that or a Logitech travel router?

[kapeman]

It would if Disney isn't authorizing general web access until you pass the browser challenge. Altough for that to be true, and if memory serves, what may be happening is that Disney is assigning IPs for an intranet with heavily restricted internet access (basically just the browser challenge screen and Disney's home website). Once you pay then the restrictions are removed and you can use the internet in general.
.

Right, but, until you connect your PC you can't sign up and pass the browser challenge, unless you know of a router that has a browser built in.

My point was that if they were only allowing one PC to use the connection at a time, then the MAC cloning would be a work-around for that.

[BroganMc]

Right, but, until you connect your PC you can't sign up and pass the browser challenge, unless you know of a router that has a browser built in.

From all I've learned of the subject and what I understand about how broadband networks and routers work, that should not be the issue. When the router is plugged in, it is recognized as an internet-ready device and assigned an IP. The browser challenge comes into play only when someone wants to surf the net at large. Then it will simply be passed on to the first browser to ask for such privileges, i.e. the laptop.

Keep in mind, one doesn't have to pay to either get the browser challenge page (an http service itself) or to surf Disney's website. You pay to get general access to the DNS servers and internet at large. That tells me the nuts-n-bolts handshaking procedure of networking has already been done as soon as you plug in and turn on. (It's also not possible to assign an IP over a hardwired ethernet cable on the fly. You need to power down then power up.)

My point was that if they were only allowing one PC to use the connection at a time, then the MAC cloning would be a work-around for that.

Yes, if there is MAC registration happening and the router pass-thru doesn't work then cloning is the workaround.

BTW, I mistyped. I meant the Linksys router. Don't know how Logitech got in my brain. Probably reading too many techie websites.

Forgive all my techie enthusiasm taking over the thread. I grew up with two big brothers who decided it was fun to set up a network in our house back in the early days of pc networking. Locking each other out of the system was our way of having fun. Yeah, we're nerds.:rolleyes1

[kapeman]

From all I've learned of the subject and what I understand about how broadband networks and routers work, that should not be the issue. When the router is plugged in, it is recognized as an internet-ready device and assigned an IP. The browser challenge comes into play only when someone wants to surf the net at large. Then it will simply be passed on to the first browser to ask for such privileges, i.e. the laptop.

Technically, the router (or PC) would send out a broadcast and the DHCP server would respond with an IP.



Keep in mind, one doesn't have to pay to either get the browser challenge page (an http service itself) or to surf Disney's website. You pay to get general access to the DNS servers and internet at large. That tells me the nuts-n-bolts handshaking procedure of networking has already been done as soon as you plug in and turn on.

I haven't really looked at how they lock you down via the web page login. It may be as simple as not supplying DNS servers or they could lock out all traffic until you register. It would be interesting to find out how they do it!



(It's also not possible to assign an IP over a hardwired ethernet cable on the fly. You need to power down then power up.)

Yes, it is very possible to change your IP on fly without a reboot (at least on XP).

You just need to hard code your IP, mask and gateway. Sometimes you may have to clear your ARP table, but it very easy.

If you are still using DHCP you can do an ipconfig /release/renew and sometimes that will get a new IP.

Fun stuff!!!

:goodvibes

[pilferk]

Sorry folks, I was unable to do any testing.

We arrived to find, much to my chagrin, that I was unable to connect to the net with ANYTHING...router or PC.

Called support and they didn't see a good link on their end. Tried a new network cable and...that didn't work. They had to send a tech out (which they finally did, today) to check the port, which was not functional. Since I was here, we hooked up the laptop, once he was done fixing the port, to see if things would work. I was unable to test with the router first, or test any of the other "stuff" we'd talked about in this thread.

I MIGHT be able to try to play with the wireless router tomorrow night (after this round of internet "expires" and I have to pay up again) but no promises as tomorrow night is our "late" night at MK with the kids so I'm not sure how much time there will be for "testing" after that.

:(

[BWV Dreamin]

Sorry folks, I was unable to do any testing.

We arrived to find, much to my chagrin, that I was unable to connect to the net with ANYTHING...router or PC.

Called support and they didn't see a good link on their end. Tried a new network cable and...that didn't work. They had to send a tech out (which they finally did, today) to check the port, which was not functional. Since I was here, we hooked up the laptop, once he was done fixing the port, to see if things would work. I was unable to test with the router first, or test any of the other "stuff" we'd talked about in this thread.

I MIGHT be able to try to play with the wireless router tomorrow night (after this round of internet "expires" and I have to pay up again) but no promises as tomorrow night is our "late" night at MK with the kids so I'm not sure how much time there will be for "testing" after that.

:(

Oh rats!! Go figure, who would think the port would not be working!! Enjoy your vacation, don't worry about the router question. I'm sure there will be others shortly who will test. But I think its a mute point until the access is free. Only then will we know how they will allow us to connect. :goodvibes

[-sts-]

does SSR have free internet for DVC members yet?

[Kurby]

with all this talk of free internet - is this just if you bring a lap top or is there somewhere in the resorts you can go to use a desk top computer?

[Chuck S]

with all this talk of free internet - is this just if you bring a lap top or is there somewhere in the resorts you can go to use a desk top computer?

You need to bring your own computer.

[disneynutz]

We use the Linksys Travel router at BCV & SSR with 2 computers last trip without any problems. Coverage was available anywhere in the 2 bedroom villa.:thumbsup2

[LVSWL]

We use the Linksys Travel router at BCV & SSR with 2 computers last trip without any problems. Coverage was available anywhere in the 2 bedroom villa.:thumbsup2
That is what we use also!:thumbsup2

[-sts-]

so is wired internet free yet at SSR?

[RobPickles]

Sweet! I can't wait since I always bring my laptop on vacation.

Rob :)

[rinkwide]

We use the Linksys Travel router at BCV & SSR with 2 computers last trip without any problems. Coverage was available anywhere in the 2 bedroom villa.:thumbsup2 Anybody run a speed test? Last time I did it was around 180k.