Wireless internet - question from a technologically challenged Dis'er

[Grumpy's Mom]

Alex (webmaster) just posted from the Magic on his lap top from his Verandah.

I never thought about this before, but I assume that the internet capabilities that are available to guests are via a wireless connection?

If that is so (and I know barely nothing about this stuff), could you not just bring your laptop with its wireless stuff (what stuff do you need, hardware and software and an ISP?) and use it yourself without having to go to the Magic's computers?

Thanks.

Bonnie

 

[DMOMof3]

I don't believe the magic is wired yet for wireless, if that makes sense. Alex is using his own wireless while still in port.

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

So, here's my next stupid question - if the Magic isn't fitted with wireless, how do they connect? Can't do it via cable, or telephone modem, can they?

Like I said - I am technologically challenged, and I don't understand how this works.

Thanks - Bonnie

 

[KathyTX]

Satellite!

Pricey, and sometimes pretty slow. But it's the only option for ships in motion. You just can't physically plug them into a wire...

They could wire the ship internally for wireless- the whole ship could be on one big wireless network, and then have one satellite connection out to the rest of the world (and the internet.)

Okay- I know what you're thinking: isn't satellite wireless? (right?)

Although the satellite connection doesn't use wires, that's not what we mean by a "wireless network". A wireless network uses radio signals, and is suitable for a relatively small area (like a building or a ship). It really mean that, within a relatively small area, you have a wireless hub, and each computer or other device that you want to put on the network has a wireless network card. It really only replaces the wire that goes from your computer into your ethernet jack or telephone connection.

The ships get their communications links to the outside world (telephone, data, and probably lots of systems I know nothing about) through the one big satellite signal. Then they could use either a wireless or a traditional wired (probably fiberoptic) network, or a combination of both, to distribute network and telecom links throughout the ship.

Like DMOMof3 indicated, Alex was probably using his own wireless while in port. He might have a wireless modem to use with his laptop- these work much like a cellphone. And, much like a cellphone, the signal will be spotty in many areas, and nonexistant when away from very large ports that have cell towers... (that's my guess, anyway.) That would explain why he needed to position the laptop just so in order to get a signal.

(YMMV- remember that I'm blonde and female, and then take my tech babble for what you think it might be worth!!! )

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Blonde or not, it sounds pretty good to me!!

Alex's latest post includes a note that as they sail away, he has to balance the laptop on the railing of the verandah to get a signal.

Thank you for the information - I think I have a better understanding now of how that works --

Bonnie

 

[Alex]

Kathy doesn't give herself enough credit... she has it exactly right.
The computers on the ship use a satelite system to connect to the internet. If you look at a picture of the ship you will see some big round domes, those are the antenna's for the internet access and the television etc. It's not that different from having DISH network at home but the antennas are hugely expensive as they have to be able to track a moving target.
What I was using was completely different. It's a card that slides into my laptop and it works off of the new GSM cell phone service, it's about twice the speed of dial up. It works great from a lot of places but it's expensive, if I didn't have it for work, I wouldn't have it!
I just thought it was neat to be able to post from my own verandah!
Once we got about 20 miles out to sea, about as far as cell phones work, that signal was gone.

 

[gometros]

Alex beat me to the answer. I suspected he was using a modem rather than a wireless connection. I couldn't see a network being anywhere near enough (you have to be within 100 feet of the access point).

Alex - I do question the sanity of your balancing that laptop. What were you doing, typing with one hand?

 

[Alex]

Pretty much..... hey you have to take chances to DIS some things are worth it!
The new system really is awesome...

 

[Grumpy's Mom]

Alex - thanks -- had scary visions of your laptop taking a dive!!

Have a great time this week - be on the ship right behind you!!

 

[thegales]

The Magic does have wireless. However, it is not available to guests (and probably not the average crew member either).

To use wireless, your computer must have a special card. Once that is installed, you can tell if there is a wireless signal around you. But like all good networks, they have security to keep unauthorized folks out. This is done by encryption. So, even though your computer 'sees' the wireless network, unless you have the encryption code, you cannot get access.

In addition, they probably have another layer of security to get from the wireless network to the hard wired network. So, if you were able to figure out the encryption, you would need another user ID and password to get access to the hard wire network.

I had my laptop with me last June to download pictures. Because I have a wireless network at home, I have a wireless card. Just for fun, I looked to see if there was a wireless network on the ship. It was a sea day and I received a very strong signal. Of course it was encrypted, so I didn't bother with anything else.

By the way, none of the above is 'rocket science', so I am not giving away any secrets with the above description of security for wireless networks. In fact, most companies have (or should have) more layers than I described above.

 

[jgalecpa]

Boy,

It seems brains really runs in the family

How about them Gales!



Jim

 

[Alex]

I had my "conventional" wireless card in when I first booted and i saw the same signal but I suspect it wouldn't give you internet access even if you got in. I kind of figured it was some kind of network for running the ship...but who knows