What are hotspots?
	What is a network name (SSID)?
	What is WEP?
	Do I have to pay for hotspot access?
	How do I contact the hotspot provider for support?
	What is the difference between 802.11a and 802.11b?
	What is signal attenuation?
	How can I tell if I am connected to a hotspot Access Point?
	Will my VPN client work at a hotspot?
	Is my connection secure?
	How can I tell what my signal strength is?

What are hotspots? An increasingly popular way to work and play on the go, hotspots provide wireless LAN service for free or a fee, from a wide variety of public meeting areas, including coffee shops, airport lounges, and hotels. There are currently thousands of hotspots worldwide, and with new access points being deployed daily, people will soon use hotspots as easily as they use their cell phones. To use these hotspots, your notebook or handheld must be configured with Wi-Fi certified technology so you can connect with other Wi-Fi certified products. Wi-Fi enabled devices can send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a wireless LAN base station. In the case of a fee based hotspot network the user will have to sign up and pay a service fee to use the network.

What is a network name (SSID)? Each wireless network has its own unique name, referred to as an SSID or Network Name, depending on the wireless access point manufacturer's software. The name is within the wireless access point configuration pages and must be used by any wireless adapter wishing to connect to the wireless network.

What is WEP? WEP is the acronym for Wired Equivalent Privacy and is designed to provide a level of security to a wireless LAN (WLAN). Data is encrypted over the radio wave for protection during end-to-end transmittal. If your WLAN is using WEP the keys and key position must match on the wireless access point and wireless client adapter. Intel® Wireless Adapters use a 10 hexadecimal key for 40-bit encryption or 26 hexadecimal key for 128-bit encryption.

Do I have to pay for hotspot access? Generally speaking, yes, although you should check with your provider. The expected behavior is after initially connecting to a hotspot wireless access point your should launch your browser. A page from the hotspot provider should appear listing payment details.

How do I contact the hotspot provider for support? There should be contact information at the hotspot. If not, ask the staff if they know the name of the provider. You can then find out the phone number through your phone companies directory assistance, or visit the providers website if Internet access is available.

What is the difference between 802.11a and 802.11b? 802.11a and 802.11b operate in different radio frequencies and use different transmission algorithms. You cannot use an 802.11a wireless adapter to connect to an 802.11b wireless access point. Or use an 802.11b wireless adapter to connect to an 802.11a wireless access point.

What is signal attenuation? Signal attenuation relates to the loss of signal strength during transmission. If the signal attenuates too much the data becomes unreliable or unintelligible. The farther away from an access point the more signal attenuation will occur for the client adapter.

How can I tell if I am connected to a hotspot Access Point? Open your browser window. If you are connected to an access point the Internet Service Provider (ISP) login page for the hotspot location should load. Alternatively there may be a wireless network icon in the Windows* System Tray (by default located in the left bottom corner of your desktop) that may provide this information. The Intel® Wireless adapters do provide this function.

Will my VPN client work at a hotspot? Check with your network administrator.

Is my connection secure? There are various levels of security. Hotspots usually provide open communication across a variety of devices. Corporations use VPN technology for added security, check with your network administrator for details on available security measures.

How can I tell what my signal strength is? Most wireless adapters have software that will show your signal strength. The Intel® Wireless Adapters supply PROSet for configuration and diagnostics. Alternatively the radio icon in your Windows* System Tray (by default located in the left bottom corner of your desktop) that will provide this information.

This applies to:

Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology