Couldn't connect to unprotected wireless networks

[mikesbytes]

Down at a coffee shop, I opened my laptop and scanned for wireless networks and found about 12. Two of which were unprotected. However in both cases they failed to provide an IP address so the connection attempt failed.

Are there any simple techniques or tricks to get connected to uprotected networks?

[mats.hogberg]

Even if it's unprotected, they may use static IPs - with no DHCP server to get an IP from for the client computers. Nothing much to do in that case.

/Mats

[SingSing]

So how do we connect to free wi-fi server in coffee shops or libraries ? Ask for network ID ?

[Marty2003]

Coffee shops usually use DHCP.

Have you ever successfully connected to an unprotected network? It's possible the problem is with your computer. When you right click your wireless adapter under "Network Connections" make use Internet Protocol(TCP/IP) is checked and Optain IP and DNS automatically are both checked.

[ROF]

When in doubt ask the network administration or coffee shop owner.

[mikesbytes]

Thanks guys,

Checked the settings they are all good. So those networks must have not been setup in a way that would normally let me in. A pity.

BTW they didn't have anything to do with the coffee shop. One was Sydney airport and the other I suppect was a small business. There are blocks of units nearby and many home users don't protect their networks. At Adeliade Airport in South Australia, theres a free wireless network for travellers, so when I saw Sydney airport, I thought I was in, but it was not to be.

I do a proportion of my work from home, but all I need is an internet connection and I can log into the office. That coffee shop was in a great location, 30minutes bicycle ride from home and on the beach.

Need to do my homework and find free wireless access points near good sources of coffee.

[mikesbytes]

Dam, all the Wi-Fi hot spots seem to require a subscription. I'm not that desperate for coffee.

[mats.hogberg]

Use your cell phone as modem?

/Mats

[mikesbytes]

Use your cell phone as modem?

/Mats

A pity that the call cost is high. 9600bps is all I need to check emails. My email can be setup to block the attachments while I'm on the slow connection.

I've been surfing around and there are some free ones in a few pubs and coffee shops. Just got to find a location I like.

[SingSing]

A lot of local libraries in U.S. have free wi-fi. Have not been in Syndey for a while, since I put in the microwave backbone for OPTUS, don't know what is the deal in down under/up over.

[mikesbytes]

I've done some serious surfing at www.broadbandchoice.com.au and there's a few pubs, coffee shops and one hairdresser thats providing free service. So far the only ones I've found were close to my offices anyway.

BTW, the 2 unprotected networks I detected are both subscription services, with various outlets accross sydney.

Dumb question, if I am not allocated an ip address, there's no way I can tunnel thru to the internet?

[mats.hogberg]

No. You have to have an IP address to use the TCP/IP protocol. But if you know what IP range, DNS addresses and other stuff that's used by a network, you (at least in theory) could setup your TCP/IP using fixed settings and get connected thru an unprotected WLAN.

/Mats

[mikesbytes]

Looks like I strike out, only have the channel and mac address.