First laptop, need some hotel networking advice

[Skyzoomer]

Finally bought my first laptop PC, a Dell Studio 1537 running Vista Home Premium, 64bit. I set up a "wired" home network through a router to my Tower PC which runs WinXP Pro and it worked for a couple of days, but it doesn't work now. But that's another story that I'm trying to figure out. The laptop always works fine through the router to the internet however.

My questions are regarding connecting the laptop in hotel rooms for internet access when we go on trips. I've never done this before or even saw anyone else do it. (We have a Vegas trip scheduled for the end of this month. Staying at the California Hotel in case any of you stayed there.)

1. a) Should I bring the RJ-45 cable that I'm currently using to connect to the router?
b) Do hotel rooms normally have a RJ-45 jack or do they normally require wireless connectivity?
c) If I connect using the ethernet cable, should it just work or do I need to set something up in Vista?
d) The laptop has wireless 802.11b/g/n but I haven't tried to use it yet.

2. I'm mainly concerned about security. I currently have a partition on the laptop set up as shared so I can access it from my WinXP Pro Tower PC. When I connect to the hotel's lan, will others on the lan be able to access my shared partition? How do you handle this?

Thanks,
Skyzoomer

 

[Fardringle]

1: There are MANY different methods that hotels use to provide Internet access to their guests. They will usually provide whatever is required to access their system (i.e. ethernet cable) but it's not a bad idea to take your own cable just in case they have a wired LAN and don't have an ethernet cable available for you. If they have a wireless network, the person at the front desk will have the security information and instructions for connecting to the wireless network.

2: Is the shared folder open to "Everyone" or does it require a user name and password? If it is open to everyone, then it is theoretically possible that other hotel guests might be able to access the files. If it is secured with a user name and password, then they won't be able to get to your files without the user name and password.

 

[Skyzoomer]

Originally posted by: Fardringle
1: There are MANY different methods that hotels use to provide Internet access to their guests. They will usually provide whatever is required to access their system (i.e. ethernet cable) but it's not a bad idea to take your own cable just in case they have a wired LAN and don't have an ethernet cable available for you. If they have a wireless network, the person at the front desk will have the security information and instructions for connecting to the wireless network.

2: Is the shared folder open to "Everyone" or does it require a user name and password? If it is open to everyone, then it is theoretically possible that other hotel guests might be able to access the files. If it is secured with a user name and password, then they won't be able to get to your files without the user name and password.

Hi Fardringle,

1. If the hotel provides a RJ-45 jack, should my laptop just work with it like it does at my home without my having to do any changes in Vista? If I get the wireless connection working through my router at home, should it just work with the hotel's wireless if that's what the hotel provides? Sorry, I'm a complete, total novist with hotel connectivity.

2. OK, I'll set up the shared partition in the Vista laptop with a user name and password when I try to get it networked with my WinXP PC.

Thanks a lot for your help,
Skyzoomer

 

[Athena]

The best thing to do is to call your hotel and find out what is offered and at what price. If you haven't used your wireless adapter yet, I'd recommend you go to somewhere with free public wireless service (e.g. a library, a mall, etc.) to get the hang of things before you go.

Most hotels are providing wireless networking these days because it's less expensive for them to set up. If they do have a wired connections, they usually provide a CAT5 cable in a desk drawer -- having to replace cables that guests "forgot" to return is another expense they can avoid with wireless.

Whether you use wired or wireless, the drill is pretty much the same -- you start IE and the hotel's portal screen appears for you to agree to terms. Once you are on, it's just like working anywhere else.

As far as security goes, you always want to use a User ID and Password on a laptop (you can configure Windows to autologon if you like but you really should use an ID and Password. I usually activate the BIOS password while I'm traveling and remove it when I get as another layer of protection. Turn off all sharing while you are away too: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center , disable Network Discovery and Sharing. If you are really concerned, you can also clear the File and Printer Sharing Exception in the Windows Firewall.

 

[Skyzoomer]

Originally posted by: Athena
The best thing to do is to call your hotel and find out what is offered and at what price. If you haven't used your wireless adapter yet, I'd recommend you go to somewhere with free public wireless service (e.g. a library, a mall, etc.) to get the hang of things before you go.

Most hotels are providing wireless networking these days because it's less expensive for them to set up. If they do have a wired connections, they usually provide a CAT5 cable in a desk drawer -- having to replace cables that guests "forgot" to return is another expense they can avoid with wireless.

Whether you use wired or wireless, the drill is pretty much the same -- you start IE and the hotel's portal screen appears for you to agree to terms. Once you are on, it's just like working anywhere else.

As far as security goes, you always want to use a User ID and Password on a laptop (you can configure Windows to autologon if you like but you really should use an ID and Password. I usually activate the BIOS password while I'm traveling and remove it when I get as another layer of protection. Turn off all sharing while you are away too: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network and Sharing Center , disable Network Discovery and Sharing. If you are really concerned, you can also clear the File and Printer Sharing Exception in the Windows Firewall.

Very helpful info Athena. I'll follow all of your suggestions. If I have any more questions "I'll be back".. 🙂

Thanks!
Skyzoomer