Best way to get a Cat5 connection at a hotel that has Wireless Internet available in-room?

Question

I travel extensively and my laptop is set up to use the wired connector for connecting to the internet. I have to use the wired connector for security reasons, not because I don't have one.

The problem is some of the newer hotels are using In-room wireless connectivity and don't have the option of connecting through a RJ-45 connector.

Is there a device that will pick up the wireless signal and give me RJ-45 connector to hook a cable up to my laptop?

Our laptops are set up to only access through wired connections. We don't have Admin rights, so adding any additional equipment to the laptops are out of the question.

Answer 1

Sure, any wireless "Bridge" will do this.
Linksys
http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WET54G-Wireless-G-Ethernet-Bridge/dp/B00008WMBT
Dlink
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DWL-G810-Ethernet-Wireless-Adapter/dp/B0000CEPCH
Buffalo
http://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Technology-AirStation-Converter-WLI-TX4-G54HP/dp/B000BNDEZY
EnGenius
http://www.wirelessnetworkproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1644

I just used these as a quick lookup there are many others.
BUT if you aren't using wireless BECAUSE of security issues then these won't help because they still put you back to wireless. And if you have a wireless adapter already, these are simply well, redundant! A wireless adapter is a wireless adapter and all the issues that go along with wireless security still apply. You will be connected to a WIRELESS network.

Hotels are really totally insecure with Wireless everyone in the hotel can see everyone else unless they are using really good "Isolation" systems which most are not! I hate to say this but this also applies to the ETHERNET in hotels. When you connect to ethernet you also join a network and anyone on the network has access to other "network" systems!

Be glad to help educate your company on wireless/wired etc. Any place you connect, other than your own home or office, had better be highly suspect if security is the issue!
If you really want secure, use only a VPN to your company system period! With a VPN it won't matter how you connect wired or wireless nor from where just be sure the VPN uses encryption!

Answer 2

That is a good question.
I do not think that there is a device that is specifically made for that. Technically it does not seem to be too hard to produce something like that. But the demand is so low that it just is not on the market.
I was looking around for you. I found a forum where a guy is asking just about the same thing.
He got nowhere it seems.
Here it is.
http://fixunix.com/network/76796-convert-wireless-back-lan.html

People seem to think that a Bridge should work....but according to the forum the guy tried 2 or 3 different WiFi Access Points and the tech Gurus for the access points offered different suggestions that never worked.

If I find anything I will edit this post.

Answer 3

You could try using a router flashed with dd-wrt. set it to bridged mode and it will connect to a wireless access point and provide you with 4 ports to connect up to. But if the hotel requires you to login I am doubting this one will work 100%. So I'd say try something like this..
http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1115416826619&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper
Granted you want to hook a PC not a game system, but it sounds possible.

Answer 4

This device is called a wireless access point. You can take your wireless DSL router and just not connect it to DSL. Then you need to configure it in "BRIDGE" mode and put in the settings of the hotel network.

What is far more sensible is to get a Wireless USB adaptor, a little D-link or similar. It is way less hassle and weight.

Answer 5

I got it........its the wire!!!