Technical Question for Ken or others: re Internet Access

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I will be going to Pono Kai tomorrow and I just found out that they have broadband internet in the units from Roadrunner. It's $39/week which is a good deal.

My question is this. Is there anyway to configure or set up my laptop, router, vonage or hub so that I can share that internet connection?

I believe they will have some type of proxy server than manages IP addresses so that it can collect a fee. Whenever I have encountered that, I have had trouble sharing the connection.

Here are some options that I think could work.

1) I've tried to use a router in the past, but it never works when a fee is charged and the link is managed by one of these proxy servers. This would be the most ideal solution since I could use vonage and share the connection with 2 laptops.

2) A hub won't work unless I pay 2 fees. And, even then, I won't be able to use Vonage.

3) I can set up my laptop as an internet connection gateway and then share the connection with the other laptop either wirelessly or via ethernet. But, if I do that, I don't know how to get Vonage to work.

If I can't figure out any of these options, I will simply sign up for roadrunner on both laptops and use Skype for outbound telephone calls. My family is so addicted to the internet that we need at least 2 connections on trips or I never get to check mail.

If anyone has a solution, you are terrific.

[Thirsty Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Thirsty]

Jim,

You should be able to setup a workgroup. This will allow you to use one computer, the host, to connect to your ISP and then other computers will connect to the Internet through the host computer. This sounds like what you have tried but it disables Vonage. I think you should be able to use the host computer without interfering with Vonage. Take a look at this link to see if there is a step you might be missing.

How do you like using Skype?

Mike

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Thanks Mike for the link. I was considering this option. I've never set up internet connection sharing, so I wasn't sure what hardware I need and what interfaces to use. For instance, since the internet connection is roadrunner, I need the ethernet port to connect to the internet. That leaves wireless connectivity betweent the two laptops. I've done that before without a router or hub, but I forgot how to configure it.

Alternatively, I could use my hub so that I don't have to go wirelessly. That's probably the way I'll go if I can't figure out how to set the router up.

It is usually at this point, I give up and pay the extra broadband fee and use Skype. I know that works and it's easy.

skype is phenomenal. Everyone should sign up for it. It's free and it does just about everything.

[Guest Close Quarterbore]

Do you know if you will het an RJ-45 connection that you plug into your ethernet jack on your laptop? If so, a switch is all you need! Just but a cheap 5-port Linksys switch:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

We use them at work all the time (I keep one in my laptop case) and we have used them at off-site business meetings where we only have a single internet connection.

You can get them just about anywhere (officemax, staples, radio shack, etc.)

These are much smaller then it looks say 3x4-inches and perhaps an inch thick. There is nothing to set up with a switch. I just shares the connection!

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Boca,

This is an interesting lesson. It will be great to figure out what works in these situations. We now have the bug too just having signed up for Vonage and using our Linksys router for phone, direct pc connection, and wireless. It was easier to set-up here at Grand Pacific Palisades than I thought it would be.

GPP charges a $9 fee to exchangers (for owners this is waived) and it covers the high speed wireless (parking, etc) for the week with the data port coming out of the resorts phone main phone in the living room. GPP also has wireless which we can access. So I guess with this type of arrangementit is easier than what you are attempting.

I will be interested to see what you may have to go through to make it work this time so we can be prepared for our other travels.

I will have to look into skype as it sounds great...and the right price.

Thanks.

John

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Do you know if you will het an RJ-45 connection that you plug into your ethernet jack on your laptop? If so, a switch is all you need! Just but a cheap 5-port Linksys switch:

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satel...VisitorWrapper

We use them at work all the time (I keep one in my laptop case) and we have used them at off-site business meetings where we only have a single internet connection.

You can get them just about anywhere (officemax, staples, radio shack, etc.)

These are much smaller then it looks say 3x4-inches and perhaps an inch thick. There is nothing to set up with a switch. I just shares the connection!

Ken,

I have that exact box. I am not having a problem with connectivity. I am having a problem with the proxy server at the resort. I am not configuring my hardware correctly and so it doesn't work right.

The good news is that I just called Vonage customer service and they told me that it is very simple to get Vonage to work. They told me that when I get there I should just call them. They will redirect my vonage box to the proxy server and they said it will work right away. I wonder if this is just provisioning the Vonage router to find the DHCP server at the resort. If it's that simple I'll be thrilled.

This is the best solution for any ethernet alternative at the resort because the Vonage box will work as both a router and a telephone. So, multiple laptops and telephone service. Set up a WAP and boom, instant wifi hotspot.

Maybe I ought to hand out fliers at the resort to come to my unit for free wireless internet and telephone calls. It might be a great way to resell timeshares. LOL.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

Boca,

This is an interesting lesson. It will be great to figure out what works in these situations. We now have the bug too just having signed up for Vonage and using our Linksys router for phone, direct pc connection, and wireless. It was easier to set-up here at Grand Pacific Palisades than I thought it would be.

GPP charges a $9 fee to exchangers (for owners this is waived) and it covers the high speed wireless (parking, etc) for the week with the data port coming out of the resorts phone main phone in the living room. GPP also has wireless which we can access. So I guess with this type of arrangementit is easier than what you are attempting.

I will be interested to see what you may have to go through to make it work this time so we can be prepared for our other travels.

I will have to look into skype as it sounds great...and the right price.

Thanks.

John

Okay, I'll let you know what I figure out. I believe Vonage will work based on my discussion with customer service.

I may have a bigger problem if it turns out to be wireless in the unit. If that happens, I'll fall back to Skype. But who knows, maybe Vonage has a configuration that works for hotspots.

Without a doubt, sign up for Skype. You will have IM, telephony, video conferencing and more. Most of it is free. It's only $15 for unlimited phone calling to anywhere in the US for the whole year.

In fact, we ought to have all the TS4M mods form a Skype Group.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

It WORKS!!!!!!!

I just checked into Pono Kai. GREAT OCEANFRONT unit.

I hooked my vonage router up and set up my laptop. I got the signin proxy server and paid with my Amex card. Vonage started working immediately and my son has his laptop set up as well. It doesn't get any better than this.

Woo hoo.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I just checked into Pono Kai. GREAT OCEANFRONT unit.

I hooked my vonage router up and set up my laptop. I got the signin proxy server and paid with my Amex card. Vonage started working immediately and my son has his laptop set up as well. It doesn't get any better than this.

Woo hoo.

I just LOVE when it gets that easy!

Is your unit refurb'ed?

I hope to go back to PK soon.

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I just LOVE when it gets that easy!

Is your unit refurb'ed?

I hope to go back to PK soon.

I just posted some pictures. It looks pretty good to me. Typical Bluegreen style. Not over done. Simple and elegant.