Marina WiFi question

C

cmariner32

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I just installed a WiFi blueray player on my boat tonite. When I tried accessing the marina's WiFI router, I could not connect. When using a laptop, when you use your browser, to access the internet, you get a sign-on page in which you have to enter the marina password. Is there something I need to configure in order to bypass this sign-on page? There are no live-a-board at our marina and not even that many people that spend time at the marina so I don't think the question has come up to the office. Suggestions anyone?
 
I haven't seen an "appliance" like a Blu-ray player have the ability to sign on to a network with a splash page. Bill (BillyIII) will know more when he sees your post and comments. But I'm going to bet the solution is to buy something like the Rogue Wave to pick up the marina wi-fi and then create your own hotspot inside the boat that doesn't require a splash page.
 
You can turn your PC into a hotspot and connect to it?
 
The only way you can get around the sign in page is to use a laptop and use it as the log in device by rebroadcasting or as part of an internal network on the boat using a bridge router (like the ROGUE to an AP). Part of the sign in is a disclaimer about not using bandwidth intensive devices like a Blueray, Slingbox or Hula box (etc...). This may violate the terms of service on the Marina's WiFi system. I intentionally do not allow easy access to these type of devices on the Access Points I manage and control for Marinas. Why? Because they are bandwidth hogs and it cuts down on everyone else's user experience when using the WiFi system that is intended for web surfing and e-mail.
Bill
 
Eh, Bill, I wouldn't worry about such things. Let 12 or 15 people start streaming movies and we'll see just how enjoyable they are to watch! :-)

Buffering is your friend, NOT!
 
Well I try and be honest with people Kurt and explain why they need to be mindful when using a free shared service. I do have a 5GHz high speed sectorized access point in my marina where I allow the use of these devices but the range is pretty much limited to the marina unless one has a 5GHz version of the ROGUE which is not really commercially available. However you still need to get past the splash page and agree to the terms of service before it will allow this group of users the proper air link speeds. Try more like 4 to 5 abusers in the alloted pipeline for the 5GHz AP before it starts to choke.
My backhaul was recently upgraded to 50mbps DL and 25mbps UL. I throttle the 2GHz side to 20mbps DL and 15mbps UL the 5GHz gets the balance.
Bill
 
I've seen nothing but horrible throughput at marinas in MD, FL, and Bahamas (the latter one never knows what the backhaul is). Considering how fast commercial cable accounts are, I figure it's all abuse. When I was managing the network at our last marina I had all kinds of controls and it was locked down. It worked well. Now they have it wide open and people tell me it crawls along. OF COURSE IT DOES! Half the creek is using it for free!
 
Kurt it all about management, however mine is free to use but how many people are going to look for a 5GHz WiFi signal? This also really limits the rabge to only the marina, on the 2.4GHz side I limit the bandwidth. Ours is pretty good if I see an abuser I can set their connection to drop in time give them 15 minute intervals and it automatically drops the user and they must log back in. Now with cloud based monitoring (something I am BETA testing) I'll get an e-mail when I set thresholds and a MAC address abuses the system. I add them to my throttle short time list. Finally if they complain to the marina the marina sends them to me. My 1st question is would you like your own pipeline? I can provide that but you are going to pay for the backhaul. If I identify a Slingbox MAC address I simply throttle the connection. I have only had 3 situations this year all involved people trying to stream video via Slingbox, Hulu or NetFlix. I tell them if you want to do that and can't live within the TOS get your own 4G LTE router from Verizon or bring in a Comcast Cable modem and I will provide them at equipment cost a Wireless point to point private network for their own private use. They have all complied with the TOS however some needed to be throttled.
So I really have a good group at the marinas I install & manage WiFi Hotspots at, and once I educate the abuser they generally see the marina and my point. I never completely cut off an abuser I just keep their maximum speeds throttled. I can grab a report anytime I need to via the cloud to see what is happening when people start to complain about poor throughput. If an AP goes down I get an e-mail. Most of the time a simple remote reset solves the issue other times it's the backhaul provider and I am at their mercy.
Bill
 
Wow...thanks for the education! I'll have to look into the laptop gateway for the blu ray and also check with the marina to see if they throttle back heavy users. I prolly should have saved my money as we rarely watch DVD movies, but the thought of being able to tap into my son's Netflix account to see a movie at the boat was real enticing. Our marina is mostly sailboats with very little activity. There are no dock queens or people spending time sitting on their boats so I can't see bandwidth hogging being an issue.
 
If you're about the only one there most nights, then go for it. As long as the office doesn't have an issue with it, you're in the clear.
 
quote:
Originally posted by cmariner32

Wow...thanks for the education! I'll have to look into the laptop gateway for the blu ray and also check with the marina to see if they throttle back heavy users. I prolly should have saved my money as we rarely watch DVD movies, but the thought of being able to tap into my son's Netflix account to see a movie at the boat was real enticing. Our marina is mostly sailboats with very little activity. There are no dock queens or people spending time sitting on their boats so I can't see bandwidth hogging being an issue.

Click to expand...

It all depends on what the marina is using for backhaul. I remember when I started at this there were marinas that only had DSL or fractional T1 circuits. To me that is just about dial up and really can't support many users. Lets say it's a DSL backhaul in a remote area the total bandwidth might only be 3mbps DL and 1 mbps UL this might not even support 1 user that is trying to download a large movie file. I assume the player can also play CD's as well?
I have to say the internet and cellphone networks were never intended for streaming video from a large number of users. I blame NetFlix they act like every public access point has fiber direct from Level 3 to the internet. Even if they could do this the cost would be prohibative and you could not give the service away at that point. I am working with a rural cellular carrier on MSO fed public access points where the backhaul can exceed 100mbps symetrical. The 1st installation starts with their HQ in a few weeks. The switch or MSO is located about 2 miles away. We have a pair of single mode fibers. This system should really scream.
Bill
 
The Tampa Bay area would not be considered rural in any stretch of the imagination. From my boat, I can access the marina wifi as well as 2 local (large and competing) cable operators with accessible wifi hotspots. In fact my Road Runner service at home is supplied by one of these cable companies. I have never signed up for their hotspot access (which is supposed to be free) but I would assume they would have the same login page too-or am I mistaken in that assumption? Years ago, I was on top of this technology wave when DOS 3.0 and Trash-80, IBM and Leading Edge/Compaq and 1200 baud modems were the only game in town. I took a little nap and the world just passed me by. I really appreciate all the help in being dragged into the 21st century.
 
I am very familiar with Tampa Bay area, my parents lived in Clearwater then finally in Newport Richey. Roardunner is Time Warner Cable's Internet division. Yes on those WiFi Hotspots there should be a redirect page to register your devices.
Bill
 
Kurt, about the Bahamas most of the internet circuits used by marinas and resorts is DSL. It's really all that is currently available other then expensive $$$ VSAT.
Bill
 
There's a fiber line from Florida that comes into the BTC office outside of Freeport. But all the out islands are most likely either on microwave or DSL via the aging phone system. When it worked, BTC wireless data on GSM was usually faster than Wi-Fi connections (even at Old Bahama Bay in West End that should have been tapped into that fiber connection). Considering BTC is run by the Bahamian government, I'm surprised anything works.
 
Kurt I am telling the board this information because I know the guy and his company that installed 90% of the WiFi Hotspots in the Islands. Talk about a great gig!
In the Bahamas it's all about the cost of high speed internet and their definition is different then our definition of high speed internet.
Bill
 
Both the cell carriers and services like Netflix are responsible as they are actively advertising devices and services knowing full well they are not usable as advertised since the networks can't keep up

99% of consumers don't understand the limitations and think that wifi is really free and unlimited.
 
quote:
Originally posted by PascalG

Both the cell carriers and services like Netflix are responsible as they are actively advertising devices and services knowing full well they are not usable as advertised since the networks can't keep up

99% of consumers don't understand the limitations and think that wifi is really free and unlimited.

Click to expand...

No actually you as the customer need to read your Terms of Service provided by the cellular carriers. Not picking on you specifically Pascal I should have said "we" not you.
Being an informed consumer goes a long way. You don't think any Cellular carrier is going to advertise it's weakness's do you? Also most of the Cell Carriers allow and pay money into these Cable Hotspots so their customers can use them. Every cellular contract to the end user does not warranty any quality of service when you are inside of a structure. Now large accounts like the Government and large Corporations who bulk purchase phones have a provision in their contracts for inside coverage. The signals are only enhanced if needed by the carrier. That model has been falling apart lately mainly due to customer provided WiFi and the lack of Wall Street funding. However the military does not allow commercial WiFi to be installed or used by design. They generally get a full in-building Cell Site with a distributed antenna system aka a "DAS". These systems are very expensive and require accurate planning for coverage signal levels and capacity, that's what I do for my main income stream. We (my compamany) will design, predict& meet minimum signal thresholds, install and maintain these in-building cellular networks.
With that being said do the cellular carriers over sell? Absolutely YES but they don't guarantee network reliabilty, speeds or quality of service. If you think I'm wrong read the contract you signed. This applies to any & all cellular carriers/ service providers.
Bill
 
Hey you re preaching to the choir here... That s exactly what I meant, the average consumer diesnt read and just think he can get on his phone and stream video. Look how many time you see questions here about using slinger Hulu of whatever they re called
 
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