[smeegle]

Hi all!  Apologies if this is a stupid question, but after some searching I'm still not sure of the solution.

 

I just moved into an apartment that is wedded to a specific ISP.  There is a wifi network set up in the building, but the only way to access it is by first providing the ISP my device's MAC address.  This is a hassle, but seems to work fine, except for two problems: (i) the ISP limits the number of devices I can connect, and (ii) this makes it impossible for guests to access wifi in the apartment.

 

Does anyone have a recommended solution?  My initial idea was to configure a bridge (?) to accept the building's wifi signal and then create a new wifi network that I would set up like a normal home network.  But I'm not sure if this is possible or if there is perhaps a better solution.  Any help is greatly appreciated!

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Hi,

 

There are wireless range extenders like this but in theory the wireless speed you have now will reduce to half.

 

It will be better to install a new wireless router if you could hook up the new router to the existing one using and Ethernet cable.

[SleepyDude]

Hi,

 

There are wireless range extenders like this but in theory the wireless speed you have now will reduce to half.

 

It will be better to install a new wireless router if you could hook up the new router to the existing one using and Ethernet cable.

[smeegle]

Thanks SleepyDude!  I've located the building's wireless router but it's mounted in a location that won't allow me to connect a new router

 

Will that wireless extender allow me to set up a new network?  If it merely relays the same signal (with the MAC address specifications), then it won't solve my problem.

[SleepyDude]

Will that wireless extender allow me to set up a new network?  If it merely relays the same signal (with the MAC address specifications), then it won't solve my problem.

 

I have set up one from Tp-link and it does but depends of the configuration and options provided by the device, it's recommended to buy in a place where you can return the device if it doesn't do what you need.

 

The wireless SSID will have the same name as the original (not sure if you can change that) but will be the wireless extender controlling the connections. You will need to change the MAC address recorded on the ISP to the MAC of the extender.

[dsenette]

you would need to contact your apartment's management and/or the ISP and see if they would allow sharing the connection the way you're wanting to. if they allow it (which I doubt they would) you could use a wireless bridge (which is not the same thing as an access point...a wireless bridge connects to a wireless network and then shares that network...where an access point connects via Ethernet and then shares the network connection wirelessly). no matter what you do you'll need to get approval from the ISP to do this.