kband
join:2007-10-22
| Hotel Wi-Fi
Does anyone know how hotel Wi-fi identifies my computer?
Some hotels give you a user name & password that's good for a couple of days but most just ask you to accept some terms then you can use it. How does the provider ID you so you don't have to keep accepting terms when you go on and off their network for a day or two? |
|
circle
Premium
join:2005-08-01
Appleton, WI
| Without knowing the specifics of each implementation, I would venture you are identified by your WiFi card's MAC address.
I recall that years ago I was in a hotel that charged by the day and you were given a scratch off card. It worked for my WiFi connection, but I need a new card for my wired connection – a give away that it was MAC related.
I run a Captive Portal that authenticates with an ID & password administered by our group. I can also allow a pass-through based on any machine’s MAC address.
--
There's no place like 127.0.0.1 |
|
cleckjr
cleckjr
join:2003-08-30
Trenton, NJ
| reply to kband
kband,
circle's venture is right. These systems use the MAC address for the WiFi card or the ethernet port to identify your computer.
This kind hotel setup is referred to as a captive portal.
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_portal
Any attempt to "surf the web" is re-routed to software running on a computer that asks you to accept the terms of service. This likely happens every time you are accessing the web after restarting your computer, but on subsequent "requests" the system already knows who you are; and that you accepted the terms of service; so it lets you continue. It depends on how the software is set up. |
|
