A hotspot is a public area where computers with wireless networking technology can access the internet. The computer contacts a nearby wireless network with its internal NIC and asks for permission to access the network. Hotspots can be found in cafes or cities and are generated by a router and wireless modem. NICs make finding a hotspot easy by scanning for networks in the area. Access can be free or require registration and a fee.
A hotspot is a public area where computers equipped with wireless networking technology can access the Internet. The computer does this by contacting a nearby wireless network with its internal NIC (network interface card). The NIC searches for radio waves generated by wireless networks. When it detects a strong enough signal, it asks for permission to access the network. While this access is often free, other times the wireless network requires registration and a small fee before granting access to your computer.
Many cafes now have a wireless network environment or hotspot, so customers can sit quietly, sip coffee and work on their laptops with full Internet access. Establishments that offer hotspots are referred to as wired, which is a bit of a misnomer since the technology is wireless.
A network that generates a hotspot essentially consists of a router and a wireless modem. The RF, or radio frequency, waves used by a wireless network extend in all directions from the central location of these devices, before eventually weakening due to interference and lack of signal strength. If a computer is within the “cloak” of RF waves, it will have the ability to connect to the network. This area is the hotspot. As your computer moves away from your router and modem devices, your connection will become weaker and slower. Connection quality deteriorates rapidly at the border. The computer will lose access completely if it leaves the hotspot.
A hotspot may not be generated specifically for public use. All wireless networks generate RF waves and hotspots. For example, a hotspot may be available outside a commercial building. In this case, the wireless network is not specifically configured to serve public clients, so access will be free. The user is more or less hitchhiking on the Internet. However, a firewall installed in the router can prevent unauthorized access to the hotspot by requiring a username and password before granting Internet access.
Many cities like Hermosa Beach, California have installed wireless networks for their citizens and visitors by creating a large free hotspot that covers a specific area of the city. People can park in such areas and use laptops to do business online, collect or send emails, or access a virtual private network (VPN). Internet access from a vehicle can be extremely useful. When traveling, you can pull over to look up directions or phone numbers, or to get traffic or flight information, among countless other uses.
Most NICs make finding a hotspot easy enough. They feature a setup screen that automatically scans for networks in the area. By glancing at the bar graphs that indicate signal strength, you can point in the direction of more strength.
Wireless technology is very convenient and affordable. Current laptops come with pre-installed NIC cards. Older laptops may come with external NIC cards that plug into one of the PCMCIA slots or a USB port. Within minutes you can track down a hotspot on the fly or browse the internet while enjoying a hot cup of java at the local wired cafe.
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