Wireless internet

[hpa...@cleve-oh.com]

Greetings all,

Has anyone tried extending a wireless data plan to more than one device?

In particular, I have a wireless USB device and Verizon data plan.   I can use the modem on multiple machines.   However, I want to extend that concept to half a dozen USB modems on half a dozen machines using the same data plan.  Does ay one know a provider that will allow this?   Or would I have to do this on the sly by loosing purchasing a new modem every month on the basis that it was lost/destroyed?  

HPanek

mailto:<hpa...@cleve-oh.com>

[tomm smith]

I may have misunderstood you, and I apologize if this is the case, But if the other computers are going to be in the general area of the main computer using the Verizon USB device for the data plan couldn't you setup an ad-hoc wireless network to allow the other computers to connect wirelessly to the main computer on the data plan? I am not sure if you are running windows or linux, but I will provide some links for some parts of the setup for both operating systems.

Windows:   To setup an AD-HOC wireless network in windows you will need this put out by microsoft, However the site does note it is for turning wired networks into an AD-HOC wireless network. I would "assume" that it may work or could work for a wireless network aswell.

linux:   To setup an AD-HOC wireless network in linux you will need to just add a few lines to /etc/network/interfaces which is described in this article. I am not sure about setting up the Data plan's USB device on linux, I was able to dig up some discussion on the topic using a rather simple method to setup the connection. From their you could setup masqueradeing, this "should" work out, but I have never personally done it, just suggesting material off of a theory.

Again I do apologize if this material was not helpful to you, I have not tested a setup like this myself, but I dont see why it couldnt be done.


Also after writing this it occoured to me it might be easier for you to just get a wireless AP and set it up with the masquerading / ICS(Internet Conection Sharing) to distribute the connection to the peers. Hope this was helpful.

[stephen]

Just to cover a few bases here... 

The Verizon 3g data network is CDMA-EVDO-revA based. 

That being a cellular technology and using an authenticated ESN, like any other cellular phone, you could no more use 5 usb devices than you could 5 cell phones if you told them you lost 1 every month. They are going to turn the last 4 off.
CDMA devices , cell and data, are programmed after entering an MSL (master service lock) code. For data devices you will need a program called QPST.

Assuming that you have no other broadband access than your Verizon EVDO device, there was a 802.11b/g access point that used either eth or a CDMA pci card for wan access. I forget which manufacturer makes it but I think it was Linksys. I purchased one and used it for about 2 weeks before taking it back. I had to keep accessing it to reset the CDMA connection.  ( i had a pci card and then purchased a new laptop that only had pci-express, ended up paying full price for the express card)

There is also the Junxion Box. Which does the same thing and was recently purchased by Sierra wireless.  Wonder if it works any better.

hope that helps

Steve Hess
she...@gmail.com

[hpa...@cleve-oh.com]

In response to your message on 2-October-2008 4:30:28a

Thanks for your suggestion.   It would probably work, IMO, for a setup within ear reach of each other.   However, the set up I envision would require each wireless USB modem to exist in different cities.   If the hardware setup is possible, the restriction would be that only one log in would be allowed at a time.   

What we're trying to do is give our 'installers' 10 minute access at a time for their work.  It's low bandwidth.  Each installer would use approximately 10MB per month if busy.   We're trying to find a way to do this using one wireless data account from a cell provider.   The internet based application required on the computing side requires WinXP or Vista and  .Net ver. 2.0 or greater and a small utility that installs on demand each time the link is used.    We've found the Eee PC to be a good portable option for the computing side.  Now we're trying to find the most cost effective solution on the wireless link.

Sincerely,

HPanek

mailto:<hpa...@cleve-oh.com>

 

***** ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS *****

[hpa...@cleve-oh.com]

In response to your message on 2-October-2008 6:24:59a

That was what I suspected.  I know the device is tied to a device by phone no.    My hope was that if I claimed that the first USB device was destroyed, I could purchase another and have it programmed using the original account (phone no.) and thereby have two working devices, etc..   If prior devices are turned off,  this obviously won't work.

Best solution so far is a 50 MB wireless account for $40/month (after all the fees). We really need a dozen of these.  So we're looking at a $6K/year solution for 120MB/month application.

Any thoughts on other possibilities to reduce this cost?

Sincerely,

HPanek

mailto:<hpa...@cleve-oh.com>

 

***** ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS *****

Just to cover a few bases here... 

[Jim Kvochick]

My advice is shop around a bit more, on the BUSINESS side of the equation.  You will pay a bit more per connection, but they offer on most business plans a usage aggregation service, so you by a data rate per month across all devices.  Even though you'll still have to get separate "phone number" tied devices, you'll get a break on the plans.

 

All wireless suppliers have attractive plans for businesses...

 

Jim Kvochick

 

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From: Akro...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Akro...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of hpa...@cleve-oh.com
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 7:58 AM
To: Akro...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [ALUG] Re: Wireless internet

[Jonathan Woodall]

I'll second that.

Both Sprint and Verizon have, at various times, been willing to work hard to get the business of a certain large local employer.

As an FYI, I'm getting 19% off on my personal Verizon bill as a result, and I expect that you'll be able to save quite a few dollars off of that $6K you just quoted if you ask the right sales rep.

[fronbi]

I am assuming that your users have cellphones with internet access
ability - they could use these as modems connected to laptop.

hpa...@cleve-oh.com wrote:
> body { margin: .3em }

[David Coulson]

Most carriers require a tethering plan if you want to use their data
networks like that - I think VZ charges $15/mo if I want to tether my
Blackberry to my laptop. Plus you will be required to play for a data
plan if you don't have that already.

[fronbi]

I use Sprint and there is no charge to use phone connected to laptop.
This would still be cheaper than buying separate cards and plans for
such limited use.

[hpa...@cleve-oh.com]

In response to your message on 3-October-2008 9:56:37a

They all have cell phones, but no data (internet) access.  Just voice and text messaging.  
Seems that a data plan would be required for internet access.  Cell phones for anaolog modem access went away a few years ago as I recall as cell technology went digital.  That's about the only way I can see using a cell phone for internet without a data plan.  Is there another way?

Sincerely,

HPanek

mailto:<hpa...@cleve-oh.com>

 

***** ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS *****

[David Coulson]

I have successfully used a GSM cell phone as a modem, but it's as slow as hell - 2400baud if you are lucky.

Why don't you just call Verizon, Sprint and someone else, tell them what you need and see who comes back with the best price? You're not going to find a technological way to save money.

[hpa...@cleve-oh.com]

In response to your message on 4-October-2008 8:03:58a

In closing this thread.   I found that the aggregate business accounts require 100+ people on the account (Verizon).  We aren't at that point.   Which leaves the basic data account of 50 MB (or so) at $40 plus fees per individual.

Also, as was suggested, assigning the same phone nos. to different devices can't be done. That is because it is now illegal by federal law.   The idea known as 'cloning'.

Thanks for all your thoughts.

[Jonathan Woodall]

I strongly suggest checking multiple carriers, at least for what you do at your next contract renewal point.

[Bill Mayhew]

Hi,

I think I read the whole thread and I didn't see anything to rule this
out:... If the installers aren't too remote, could a telephone modem
suffice? It is low tech, but virtually every office I have ever seen
has a 2-wire standard voice line somewhere in its facility for a fax
machine or similar device.

I'd recommend the Acer One PC over the Eeepc 701. (I have them
both.) The Acer One is only $329 at Microcenter, and it has a better
screen, 120G hard drive, 1G of memory, Atom processor and comes with a
Windows XP Home license. You should be able to find a USB modem for
$20 or so at CompGeeks or a similar vendor.

-Bill

[hpa...@cleve-oh.com]

In response to your message on 5-October-2008 7:43:03p

Two reasonable thoughts.   I'll check out the Acer One and run the utility over a phone line to see how long it will take.   For equipment initialization, it may not be a bad idea, as that wouldn't take much bandwidth.  I also have Sprint and AT&T to check out for wireless yet.   I started with Verizon as we all have Verizon phones for the Verizon to Verizon call savings.

[Jim Showalter]

I just checked with Verizon, and most digital phones and PDAs can be
used as a modem. The 'tethering' fee for 5GB's per month is $15 for
PDA's and $60 for cell phones. Plus charges for whatever data plan you
choose.