Wireless Home Networking - Index of

The big difference between Boingo and most other services is that Boingo
uses its own software to control and manage the connection process. You
download the Boingo software (available for most Windows and Mac computers
and also for Pocket PC handhelds) and use the software to sign on to a
Boingo hot spot. This arrangement allows Boingo to offer a more consistent
user experience when you roam around using its service. Boingo is also
taking advantage of this software to offer a Virtual Private Network, or VPN,
service for business customers. VPN is a secured network connection that
others can’t intrude on. (Refer to Chapter 9 for more information on VPNs.)
We talk a bit more about Boingo software in the following section because
you can use it to sniff out open access points, regardless of whether they’re
Boingo’s.
Tools for Finding Hot Spots
Chapter 16: Going Wireless Away from Home
When you’re on the road looking for a freenet, a community hot spot, or a
commercial provider, here are a few ways that you can get your laptop or
handheld computer to find available networks:
� Do your homework: If you know exactly where you’re going to be, you
can do some online sleuthing, find available networks, and write down
the SSIDs or WPA passphrases or WEP keys (if required) before you get
there. We talk about these items in more detail in Chapter 9. Most hot
spots don’t use WPA or WEP (it’s too hard for their customers to figure
out), but you can find the SSID on the Web site of the hot spot provider
you’re planning to use. Just look in the support or how-to-connect
section.
� Look for a sign: Providers that push open hot spots usually post some
prominent signs and otherwise advertise this service. Most are providing
you with Wi-Fi access as a means of getting you in the door as a
paying customer, so they find a way to let you know what they’re up to.
� Rely on your network adapter’s client software: Many network adapter
software systems give you a nice pull-down list of available access
points. In most cases, this list doesn’t provide details about the access
points, but you can use trial-and-error to see whether you can get online.
� Use a network sniffer program: These programs work with your network
adapter to ferret out the access points near you and provide a bit
of information about them. In this section, we describe sniffers from two
companies: Netstumbler.com and Boingo. (Note: In most cases, network
sniffer programs are used to record and decode network packets —
something the highly paid network analysts at your company may use.
In this case, we’re referring to programs that are designed solely for
wireless LANs and that sniff out radio waves and identify available
networks.)
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