Comments on: Sharing the MiFi Connection: Am I More Likely to Do It or Not? http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/ Using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:14:40 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Chris Davies http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-64040 Chris Davies Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:19:56 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-64040 Ah-ha! Now here's where the app CPU in the MiFi 2352 could leap in and be useful. All we need is a third-party developer to code a basic "temporary hotspot" app, which would create ad-hoc passwords that you could set to time-out after whatever period you wanted (or, alternatively, if you were getting close to your data cap). Ah-ha! Now here’s where the app CPU in the MiFi 2352 could leap in and be useful. All we need is a third-party developer to code a basic “temporary hotspot” app, which would create ad-hoc passwords that you could set to time-out after whatever period you wanted (or, alternatively, if you were getting close to your data cap).

]]> By: oliver http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63631 oliver Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:38:32 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63631 If you don't want to share Internet connections you pay for (don't blame you for that), wouldn't a one or two sentence article sufficed? Just saying... ;) If you don’t want to share Internet connections you pay for (don’t blame you for that), wouldn’t a one or two sentence article sufficed? Just saying… ;)

]]> By: James Kendrick http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63602 James Kendrick Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:46:27 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63602 You can use the Access Manager s/w from VZ. You have to use it to activate the MiFi on the VZ network once and then never need it again. You can use the Access Manager s/w from VZ. You have to use it to activate the MiFi on the VZ network once and then never need it again.

]]> By: DaveZatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63601 DaveZatz Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:55:44 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63601 I agree completely. I don't share Internet connections or laptops except in emergencies. :) Didn't know VZW had web console, too - thought you guys were forced to install software. Whereas none ships with Sprint. I agree completely. I don’t share Internet connections or laptops except in emergencies. :) Didn’t know VZW had web console, too – thought you guys were forced to install software. Whereas none ships with Sprint.

]]> By: James Kendrick http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63595 James Kendrick Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:04:31 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63595 I hear you, Dave. The Verizon model has a web interface for configuring too. What I find is that the reality is I don't want to jump through hoops just to let others use my paid connection. I just keep it to myself unless someone is really up a creek needing connectivity. I hear you, Dave. The Verizon model has a web interface for configuring too. What I find is that the reality is I don’t want to jump through hoops just to let others use my paid connection. I just keep it to myself unless someone is really up a creek needing connectivity.

]]> By: DaveZatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63593 DaveZatz Sat, 11 Jul 2009 18:00:40 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63593 Pic below. You Secure access point/info is retained, but you can open it up selectively and temporarily. It's different from Open in that it still requires a password. http://www.zatznotfunny.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sprint-mifi-temproary-password.jpg Pic below. You Secure access point/info is retained, but you can open it up selectively and temporarily. It’s different from Open in that it still requires a password.

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sprint-mifi-temproary-password.jpg

]]> By: DaveZatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63592 DaveZatz Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:58:07 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63592 One last comment. James, if you tether your MiFi you can do exactly what you did with your aircard. Of course that kinda defeats the purpose, but it works the same. When tethered the MiFi doesn't act as a WiFi access point, but you can use it to power that single machine and then share the connection via the laptops WiFi connection. One last comment. James, if you tether your MiFi you can do exactly what you did with your aircard. Of course that kinda defeats the purpose, but it works the same. When tethered the MiFi doesn’t act as a WiFi access point, but you can use it to power that single machine and then share the connection via the laptops WiFi connection.

]]> By: DaveZatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63591 DaveZatz Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:34:32 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63591 Mine has a Temporary Hotspot mode which defaults to WEP with a temp password. My speeds match my USB modems. Battery life can be an issue and since this is NOT my primary network connection 5GB/mo has been more than plenty. Comcast broadband serves my HD video needs. Mine has a Temporary Hotspot mode which defaults to WEP with a temp password. My speeds match my USB modems. Battery life can be an issue and since this is NOT my primary network connection 5GB/mo has been more than plenty. Comcast broadband serves my HD video needs.

]]> By: DaveZatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63590 DaveZatz Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:30:35 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63590 I snapped a pic of Mac filtering here: http://www.zatznotfunny.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sprint-mifi-mac-filtering.jpg I snapped a pic of Mac filtering here:
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/sprint-mifi-mac-filtering.jpg

]]> By: DaveZatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63589 DaveZatz Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:27:11 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63589 On my Sprint MiFi, I have a tempory Hotspot mode and can easily flip between open (which I don't use) and secure (which I do use with WPA2). Additionally, there is MAC filtering. And I know how many devices are connected to the MiFi at any time. Unlike the Verizon MiFi, all of this is done via a web interface (192.168.1.1 by default). On my Sprint MiFi, I have a tempory Hotspot mode and can easily flip between open (which I don’t use) and secure (which I do use with WPA2). Additionally, there is MAC filtering. And I know how many devices are connected to the MiFi at any time. Unlike the Verizon MiFi, all of this is done via a web interface (192.168.1.1 by default).

]]> By: Aly http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63587 Aly Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:42:19 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63587 What we need is: min 25 GB usage LTE Temporary Password Speed that equals a USB modem Full day battery life What we need is:

min 25 GB usage
LTE
Temporary Password
Speed that equals a USB modem
Full day battery life

]]> By: Allan Jones http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63581 Allan Jones Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:05:25 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63581 Regarding the low cap that mobile operators impose, I think part of the problem is that heavy users are an especial problem here. In UMTS and HSDPA (but presumably not EV-DO), a mobile broadband user occupies far more capacity than a voice user, but per MB generates far less revenue. As long as one person's data usage is fairly light, it can be fitted round other users. When the usage is heavy, accommodation is more difficult. The price of mobile broadband has reduced recently, in the UK at any rate, because operators had spare capacity. Once that spare capacity is taken, things don't look so rosy. Operators can install more infrastructure, but if it's mainly to supply mobile broadband users, the economics don't look so good. Regarding the low cap that mobile operators impose, I think part of the problem is that heavy users are an especial problem here. In UMTS and HSDPA (but presumably not EV-DO), a mobile broadband user occupies far more capacity than a voice user, but per MB generates far less revenue. As long as one person’s data usage is fairly light, it can be fitted round other users. When the usage is heavy, accommodation is more difficult.
The price of mobile broadband has reduced recently, in the UK at any rate, because operators had spare capacity. Once that spare capacity is taken, things don’t look so rosy. Operators can install more infrastructure, but if it’s mainly to supply mobile broadband users, the economics don’t look so good.

]]> By: Jake http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63578 Jake Sat, 11 Jul 2009 07:13:10 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63578 Is a 3G connection really fast enough to share with others? Is a 3G connection really fast enough to share with others?

]]> By: bluemonq http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63567 bluemonq Sat, 11 Jul 2009 01:08:52 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63567 Does the MiFi have MAC filtering? Find out the MAC addresses of your devices and add them to the whitelist. When you feel like sharing, turn off filtering. MAC addresses can be spoofed, sure, but I think in this situation, ie being mobile and controlling when the access point is actually on, plus having SSID broadcasting turned off might work for you. Does the MiFi have MAC filtering? Find out the MAC addresses of your devices and add them to the whitelist. When you feel like sharing, turn off filtering. MAC addresses can be spoofed, sure, but I think in this situation, ie being mobile and controlling when the access point is actually on, plus having SSID broadcasting turned off might work for you.

]]> By: Joe http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63555 Joe Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:53:32 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63555 Ideally you should probably be changing your password on your router probably every month or so anyway, so would it really be that big a deal to do so in this situation? Also, if you instead of giving them the password, just type the password for them, you can make sure you select the box that doesn't save the connection, can't you? I know Ubuntu, OSX and Windows 7 have that as an option, though I can't remember for XP and Vista. Ideally you should probably be changing your password on your router probably every month or so anyway, so would it really be that big a deal to do so in this situation?

Also, if you instead of giving them the password, just type the password for them, you can make sure you select the box that doesn’t save the connection, can’t you?

I know Ubuntu, OSX and Windows 7 have that as an option, though I can’t remember for XP and Vista.

]]> By: Luscious http://jkontherun.com/2009/07/10/sharing-the-mifi-connection-am-i-more-likely-to-do-it-or-not/#comment-63554 Luscious Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:50:18 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=39791#comment-63554 I know I've mentioned this before, but this is exactly the reason why current data plans defeat the purpose of this device. If carriers are too greedy to offer unlimited plans, they should at minimum step up with a 25GB cap for a device such as this. Even without sharing that connection with strangers, the fact that "my own" multiple devices can be connected and sipping bits in the background makes shared bandwidth just more sense. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but this is exactly the reason why current data plans defeat the purpose of this device.

If carriers are too greedy to offer unlimited plans, they should at minimum step up with a 25GB cap for a device such as this. Even without sharing that connection with strangers, the fact that “my own” multiple devices can be connected and sipping bits in the background makes shared bandwidth just more sense.

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