Two Laptops, one USB cell Internet Connect

[Kal]

Does anyone have any experience connecting two laptops together and both share the internet connection from one laptop using a USB cellular connect card?

 

[JeffW]

I imagine the steps would be (more or less):

- establish USB air card connection
- enable internet connection sharing (ICS) on this computer
- establish ad-hoc point to point wireless link between the two computers.

I've worked with air cards, also ICS, both work w/o major issues. I've yet to test having two laptops talk wirelessly to each other without going through a common access point (typically wireless router). You could also use an ethernet crossover cable.

One potential extra step is without being connected to a router, you likely won't have DHCP, which means you'll need to manually set the IP configuration (address, subnet, gateway, DNS servers) for both laptops. Not impossible, just more work.

Jeff

 

[Icarus]

Yes you can do this. Use the internet connection sharing wizard on the laptop with the cellular modem to set it up.

If both laptops have wifi, you can set up the one with the cellular modem to act as a router (bridge) between the cellular modem and it's exported wifi network. If they don't have wifi, you might need a cross-over network cable to connect them together.

-David

 

[Icarus]

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_ics/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/expert/crawford_02july01.mspx

 

[Blues]

The cheap way is using Internet Connection Sharing. Follow one of David's links on the subject. Not too hard to do, but you'll need to always have the PC with the 3G card in it powered on in order to use the other laptop.

The elegant way is to buy a 3G router. I looked at a bunch of them and settled on products from Cradlepoint. I've had my Cradlepoint CTR350 for almost 2 years now, and it's a great product. About the size of a deck of cards. Just plug your USB based 3G card in, and it's an instant 802.11g wireless hotspot. Also has a wired ethernet connection you can use.

Since I bought mine, they came out with a bigger better model that does wireless N. If shopping today, I'd probably buy the Cradlepoint MBR1000.

Finally, for a really neat device, they have the PHS300. It's the size of the CTR350 (same features), except it's battery powered. You can set up an instant hotspot even if you don't have power! Runs about 2 hours on battery.

Why Cradlepoint? They have the best support in the business. Their stuff works, and if it doesn't, they'll make it right. I bought from 3Gstore.com, and they also have amazing support. I've had them fix problems for me at 10 PM.

I have no ties to either Cradlepoint or 3Gstore except as a very satisfied customer of each.

-Bob

 

[ira g]

The easiest way it looks like is to set up a MiFi connection using Verizon or Sprint where you set up your own wifi signal. Has anyone used this?

 

[Icarus]

If it's anything more than a temporary setup, Bob's cradlepoint suggestion is a good idea.

-David

 

[caribbean]

I have had the MiFi from Verizon for about 10 days. LOV IT !!! We have a desktop and two laptops. Had to install WiFi in the desktop, but can run all at the same time. In fact up to 5 computers at a time. We used to have a USB card and had to share it, which didn't work very well.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Verizon MiFi 2200 Review


Richard

 

[Blues]

Review of Verizon MiFi
Review of Sprint MiFi

Both reviews from evdoinfo.com. BTW, evdoinfo.com, evdoforums.com, and 3gstore.com are the same people. I know I sound like a shill, but I really like these folks. Very responsive, very helpful, great service.

The MiFi is nothing more than a 3G router with an embedded 3G modem. Personally, I'd rather have a separate router and card. That way you can upgrade the card as more recent ones come out (which is frequently -- this is still cutting edge). Or you can even change carriers as needed. I still recommend a Cradlepoint router plus whatever 3G card is appropriate to your situation.

-Bob

 

[Icarus]

Yeah, but it's tiny compared to the wireless router + separate modem thing.

Pogue did a review of one of them. He liked it. (Whatever that's worth.)

I think, IIRC, from his video review, it's rechargeable and you can carry it in your pocket when it's not plugged in, and it just works.

Still, any of the 3G modem solutions seem to be fairly expensive to me. But if you need that type of connectivity, I would definitely consider the mifi option.

-David

 

[Blues]

Yeah, but it's tiny compared to the wireless router + separate modem thing.

Smaller, yes. But my router is precisely the size of a deck of cards -- not exactly huge. Granted, the MiFi is more like a modern iPod.

But what are you MiFi folks gonna do when 4G (WiMax etc) comes to your area? Throw it away, pay the early termination fee on the embedded modem, and buy everything again? I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. I'm going to upgrade my USB card and keep going.

I hear you about the cost. Funny thing is that it's a stationary setup for me. EVDO is my primary internet connection. I live in the boonies where I have little other choice for high speed internet. I've been on dialup (28.8 on a good day, ouch) and satellite -- Starband and then Wildblue. They're more expensive than EVDO, and effectively not much faster than dialup for browsing due to the latency of satellite (good for bulk downloads tho). When I found out EVDO was available to me, I thought I'd died and gone to geek heaven.

With current pricing, I figure 3G has two major sets of clients. Folks like me with little other choice for home internet, and road warriors. For those contributors above using your MiFi's and 30 weeks of timeshare to be on permanent vacation, I salute you Hope to join you someday, when my 401K recovers :hysterical:

-Bob

 

[MULTIZ321]

Here's a good tutorial - What is EVDO?


Richard

 

[caribbean]

Bob-

Know what you mean about died and gone to heaven when EVDO tower was finally installed in my boonies. I dumped my Hughes satellite. This has been much more reliable, faster, and no problems accessing secure sites.

"But what are you MiFi folks gonna do when 4G (WiMax etc) comes to your area? " Will worry about that if/when it happens. Hell, my first USB card only lasted about a year before Verizon replaced it as defective and the second one didn't go much longer before it died and I had to buy a replacement. That's when I changed over to the MiFi. And I love not having that USB sticking out in my way.

Really love the idea of having the card in my pocket while sitting in the airport, etc. Probably going to get a net book for vacation so will work very well with that wherever I go and save a lot on weight.

Have not had any problems with it. Also getting a stronger signal than I did with the USB card, don't know why?

 

[Blues]

Thanks for the reasonable reply Patty. I think my post came off as a bit harsh, which I didn't mean. I really just intended to state what was appropriate for my situation; just as I respect that the MiFi is right choice for you (and many others). As with most things in life, it depends.

Anyway, here's a comparison of the MiFi 2200 vs Cradlepoint. Their conclusion? Both good products, and the choice depends on your situation.

Enjoy your internet connection.

-Bob

 

[Icarus]

Hello Mifi, good bye Cradlepoint ... (Dave Zatz)

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2009-06/hello-sprint-mifi-goodbye-cradlepoint/