What
do I need to begin using MHC HotSpot?
In order to connect to the Internet using MHC HotSpot
high-speed wireless service you will need a laptop or
desktop computer equipped with a standard 802.11b wireless
(Wi-Fi) adapter and a MHC HotSpot login account.
How do I sign-up for MHC HotSpot
high-speed wireless Internet service?
Power up your computer with the wireless network adapter
connected/installed. Start your web browser. A web page
will appear providing the ability to sign-up for an MHC
HotSpot account (new user) or login to an existing
account. It’s that simple. To sign up for a new account,
enter new user account data and credit card payment
information and you will be online immediately.
What service plan options do I have?
MHC HotSpot offers daily (24 hour), weekly and monthly
service plans. Rates are available in the HotSpot office
or when signing up.
Wireless Networking (Wi-Fi)
What does the term Wi-Fi mean?
The term Wi-Fi or “Wireless Fidelity” allows you to
connect to the Internet from the comfort of your vehicle,
and has become synonymous with 802.11b networks. These
networks transmit radio frequencies using a wireless
Ethernet protocol called 802.11b.
What are “Hot Spots”?
They are specific geographic locations, such as RV Parks,
in which a wireless broadband network services mobile
visitors that wish to connect to the Internet.
What can I do when connected to a
wireless network?
You can use wireless networking for email, Internet web
browsing, and many other web-enabled applications such as
banking and stock transactions. As there are multiple
users sharing the high-speed communications line, you
should not use MHC HotSpot wireless service for streaming
audio or video, or to download very large files.
Where can I purchase a wireless
(Wi-Fi) adapter?
You can purchase the appropriate wireless network adapter
for your computer from the HotSpot office or from us here
on our website by clicking
here. MHC HotSpot has tested several Wi-Fi adapters
and has furnished the HotSpot office with a list of
preferred manufactures that offer superior performance and
value.
Can I use my wireless adapter at other
locations?
Yes, since MHC HotSpot utilizes standard Wi-Fi 802.11b
networking, you can use your adapter at any Wi-Fi
certified Hot Spot such as airports, hotels, Internet
cafés, and many others.
Configuration Requirements
What wireless(Wi-Fi) adapters can be
used to access the service?
The following cards are fully supported by MHC HotSpot:
ORiNOCO Gold PCMCIA adapter
Cisco Aironet 350 PCMCIA adapter
Other standard 802.11b wireless networking client
adapters, PCMCIA card, USB adapters are useable from
manufacturers such as LinkSys and DLink. MHC HotSpot
strongly suggests the use of an external antenna attached
to the client adapter for maximum performance.
What computer configurations can be used
to access the service?
The minimum requirements include:
The appropriate software driver for the wireless network
adapter being used (ORiNOCO Gold and Cisco 350 are fully
supported).
The following Operating Systems are fully supported:
Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, Windows 2000,
Windows XP.
Other Operating Systems which should work but will not be
supported by MHC HotSpot: Windows 95, Windows 95, MAC
OS9/OS10, Linux, and UNIX.
To use the service you will need a web browser. Internet
Explorer 5.5 or 6.0 and Netscape 6.0 or 7.0 are fully
supported.
What network configuration changes must
I make on my computer?
MHC HotSpot service is capable of detecting most
computers’ network configurations with no changes
required. This includes DHCP and static IP address
configurations. Simply start your computer with wireless
network adapter installed and start your web browser. The
MHC HotSpot Service login page will automatically be
displayed.
Can I use my existing 802.11b wireless
adapter?
Absolutely. The MHC HotSpot wireless network consists of
industry standard 802.11b components. All wireless enabled
computers and existing 802.11 adapters should work.
Performance may vary based on specific component
specifications.
Applications (i.e., Email, VPN)
Can I send and receive email?
Yes, you can send and receive email through your normal
email account (via POP3 protocol, see below for details)
from an existing Internet Service Provider (ISP) or via a
web-based account (i.e., Hotmail or Yahoo!). Almost every
ISP offers their customers the ability to access their
email accounts online via the Internet from virtually
anywhere in the world. This email access is usually
offered free from a web browser interface (online access
only). Many ISPs offer POP3. (The POP3 protocol allows you
to read and write email while not connected to the
Internet. Periodically, you check your mailbox and upload
email to be sent and download any received email for
reading while offline).
Does MHC HotSpot support connecting to a
company network?
Yes, connecting to a company network is supported and
transparent to the MHC HotSPot service. You will need your
company provided VPN (Virtual Private Network) software
and the appropriate login account information. Please
check with your company for the required software and
setup procedures.
Security
How is sensitive user data protected?
Private data is normally encrypted via Secure Socket Layer
(SSL) protocol prior to transmission between your web
browser and a web server. Do not use online applications
without first insuring that data is transmitted securely!
Does MHC HotSpot use WEP?
MHC HotSpot does not utilize Wired Equivalency Protection
(WEP) in any service location due to a number of factors
(i.e., lack of standardization, performance, etc.).
Encryption via SSL (as explained above) is normally
considered sufficient for web-based applications (i.e.,
email, online banking, financial transactions). Secure VPN
technology is recommended for corporate network access.
Does MHC HotSpot allow wireless PC to
wireless PC connections within a service area?
The ability to directly connect from one wireless PC to
another wireless PC within a service area is completely
disabled and blocked by MHC HotSpot wireless equipment to
insure your privacy. To share files with others in a
service area, you will need to use email or another method
that would normally be used to share files.
