Using Mikrotik at Campground or Hotel

[sparkplug188]

Mung- Is it possible to connect a QRT 2 to a campground or hotel wifi connection that has a hotspot login page that requires guests to enter their site number or room number and click accept?  I have heard of people connecting with their phone to sign in, then spoofing the routers MAC to match the phone.  Does that work? Is there a better way?

Thanks again for telling me about Mikrotik and RouterOS.  The range is incredible!  All the features of DDWRT are there plus easy scheduling and scripting.

I had a wierd problem with the wireless interface not getting a new IP when the connect list rules caused it to switch networks.  Clicking renew would not change the IP.  I had to click release then renew for the IP to update.

I fixed it by scheduling this script every 30 seconds.  It seems a little hackish, but it works.

:if ( [/ping 8.8.8.8 interface=wlan1-gateway count=6 ] = 0 ) do={
/interface wireless disable wlan1-gateway ;
/interface wireless enable wlan1-gateway
}

Do you know of a better workaround?

Everybody else- I know this doesn't sound bus related, but it is.  Picture to prove it:



That is a 3G/4G booster antenna up there on the pole.  Yesterday, the QRT2 went up right underneath it.  Max height is 35'. Normal height when parked is 6' above the roof line.  

[mung]

You should be able to use a connected computer to get it logged in to the hotspot.  If the QRT is masking your mac address (which it should be), the hotspot should think that you are connecting using the QRT and allow it to work. 

Not sure on the IP lease, it should release and renew, it seems like you have work around though. 

[sparkplug188]

Thanks Mung

I set up a spare router as a temporary hotel hotspot with login page to test it.  I was able to log in to the hotspot with a tablet connected to the QRT2 without any problems.  I don't know why I thought it would be difficult-- maybe it was my experience toying with a Chromecast on a hotel network. *shrugs* All is well  

[mung]

You would need some kind of router for the chromecast on a hotel network.  All of those hot spots use mac address to know who is who.  So if you try to login with a laptop, then try to connect another device from your room, the hotspot is going to see that as a new connection.  If there is a router between the laptop, the chromecast and the hotspot, the hotspot sees the router as the device and doesn't know anything is connected behind it.