Share Apartment WiFI connection across my devices

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bp1000

93 posts

Master Geek

#108596 2-Sep-2012 14:32

Hi,

I have internet access via my apartment building's wifi service. After connecting to the wireless signal, I need to enter a access code via my web browser to enable internet access. The access code is specific to each user and changes monthly.

I'd like to be able to share the internet service across several devices (laptop, smartphone, TV and BD Player). If I connect my smartphone to the apartment wireless, then when I enter the access code, the laptop gets disconnected (from internet access, not wireless service). Basically, I can only use one device at a time on the apartment service.

I think I have only a couple of options here. Connect to the wireless service and enter the access code through the laptop, then share the internet service via the laptop. Then connect my smartphone to the wireless service on my laptop.

That can probably cover those 2 devices, but the TV and BD player require network cable connections, so I'd need some type of switch/router device to connect them to that would connect to the laptop's active internet connection.

It would be nice and simple, if a wireless router (with some LAN ports) was able to share the apartment's wireless internet service and I just connect my devices to that. It would require the ability for me to configure it with the monthly access code for the internet access to be enabled.

I've looked but haven't found any consumer style wireless router to do the above.

Anyone have any info on devices that might do this, or how to configure a wireless/switch/router devices along with the laptop to enable my sharing?

Cheers, Brendan

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#680403 2-Sep-2012 14:49

Any stock standard router will do what you want. You will just need to authenticate yourself from a web browser first.

For wireless connectity you'll need to either use a wireless bridge in front of the router or a router that allows the wireless to be used for the WAN connectivity, a number of TP-Link devices do this.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#680404 2-Sep-2012 14:49

Hmm, you could just connect to the wifi with your laptop, then turn on Internet Connection Sharing (Or NAT in linux) and have it share the wifi out via the ethernet port, which you then connect to a switch. You then connect your other wired devices to the switch, along with a wifi AP setup in bridge mode (NAT/DHCP disableD)
(Don't use the WAN port on the AP)

joutei

308 posts

Ultimate Geek

#680438 2-Sep-2012 16:27

Give Connectify a go.

http://www.connectify.me/

Ive used it in the past, it's pretty decent.

Might not be the best solution, but there is a free version for you
to have a go with.

bp1000

93 posts

Master Geek

#683032 8-Sep-2012 10:32

The simple answer I was looking for I found. The steer to look at TP-Link was good, as it is the WISP (Wireless ISP) router type that simplifies the setup. I ended up with the TP-Link TL-WR743ND.

Configure the router as Client Router mode - WISP client. There is a wireless configuration to connect to the apartment's Wireless service. The router then shares this service through 4 wired ports, plus it's own local wireless service.

I connect my laptop via one of the ethernet ports and authenticate via the web browser. Then the internet service is accessible and shareable for my other wired or wireless devices, all with one network device, the TL-WR743ND.

Cheers.