I picked up a FON router when they were offering them for free a little while back. It’s a pretty nice little device and I like the idea behind it (trade some of your bandwidth to use other’s bandwidth).
It creates 2 wireless networks: a private network that is password protected and a public network that is available to all “foneros” - with access restricted using the sort of landing page you see at hotels. I also created a guest login that I can give folks that come over and need access, without having to go through the hassle of digging up the network password, etc.
In theory you can throttle the bandwidth consumed on the public network, but a bug apparently makes that setting not so useful at the moment.
Installation Tip
The install was a little tricky. I connected it to my hub and it came up OK, but it couldn’t see the internet for some reason. After trying a bunch of things, I connected it directly to the DSL modem on Steve O’Grady’s advice. Sure enough, it immediately “foned” home and started working.
If you’re having trouble getting the FON to activate/work for the first time - try getting it a direct internet connection. After that initial connection to “activate” it, I connected it through the hub and it works fine there. Go figure.
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Iolaire McFadden adds this Comment:
Question, do you see the private network name when you look at available connections in your list of wireless connection options? On my router I no longer see the private network, so I’ve be using the public network for my own use. I love the size of it!
May 4th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
Yes, my private network name is shown publicly. I think that was an option (to publish it or not).
May 4th, 2007 at 2:04 pm