No internet access available despite free connection.
No internet access available despite free connection.
I believe they're talking about authentication, but I remember. My workplace offers free Wi-Fi for customers, though we’re permitted to join. When you connect, you’re prompted to enter your details—even fake ones work. It’s sufficient for most devices. As an auto tech, my $6,500 scan tool needs internet access, but I can’t log in online because there’s no browser. I usually use my phone’s hotspot, which is inconvenient. Is there a way to tap into building Wi-Fi so you can connect directly? Maybe a repeater device? Since I pay flat rate, any wasted time on setup isn’t worth it.
I wasn't aware of this concept. Throughout the period, I simply discarded my laptop last week since I didn't rely on it.
I’ve never examined the inner workings, but AP mode has been phased out a long time ago. There’s a newer alternative that lets the Wi-Fi card connect to a network and also serve as a gateway at once. Ubuntu offers an interface for this too. I’ve used it often in hotels when it’s inconvenient to log in separately for each device, especially when only two devices are allowed on a room login or when you want all devices to connect via a VPN without setting it up individually (requires extra steps).
@_SNOWMAN_ I haven't tried it myself, but I've heard of Connectify—it lets you send a wireless signal from your PC through its WiFi adapter. I've struggled to get Windows to do something similar exactly as I needed. "Travel routers" from GL.iNet work on OpenWRT and can easily retransmit both wired and wireless signals. I recently acquired the Beryl AX to prepare for my travels. One appealing feature of these small devices is their capacity to maintain a stable connection even after logging out.
For more sophisticated needs (custom DHCP, per-device management, etc.), I've utilized the free MyPublicWifi service.
The network administrator may set up a MAC Bypass for your device. This lets your device pass through the Captive Portal without needing a web browser. MAC Bypass acts as an exclusion method. They could also supply Wi-Fi credentials so you can link the scan tool to the internet on a separate network unaffected by the captive portal. Using an extender or another device is usually discouraged. A skilled network engineer will locate and remove any extender if they discover it.
We don’t have a network administrator on-site. They handle tasks remotely, but I’m not sure if they keep an eye on it. I plan to ask someone tomorrow about the MAC bypass. I think I’ll need the device details beforehand. Joining the free Wi-Fi and having the browser request my info is what’s known as a “captive portal.”