http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20413170 en Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:14:35 EDT Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:14:35 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20413170 cleckjr : 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.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20413170 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:40:33 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409725 circle : 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.
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There's no place like 127.0.0.1]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409725 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:02:57 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409577 kband : 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?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20409577 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:11:39 EDT