How to Add a Mobile Wireless Hot Spot to Your Network

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Shop for a wireless ethernet bridge.

   A web search for 'wireless ethernet bridge' will turn up lots.
   
   Be sure to download and read the manual for the device, so you know what you'll be getting yourself into. , Every device is different.
   
   Most come with some software.
   
   Most have a 'web page' interface to configure it without the software.
   
   Read the manual. , If it's a switch, you're done.
   
   If it's a router, make sure it's plugged into the 'WAN' port. , The DHCP on the wireless device will handle everything. ,, into the router/switch. ,, The default password isn't easy to remember, and all numeric, which makes it supremely weak against attack.
   
   Mine had the 'Manual' inside it, along with the web interface.
   
   Once the software for it was installed, setup was easy, if you are used to setting up Wi-Fi devices.
2. 2

   Step 2: Configure the ethernet bridge to connect to your 'Wi-Fi Hotspot' gadget/phone/etc.. Be sure you use the RIGHT password

   This was a LOT more difficult.
   
   The 'Wi-Fi Protected Setup' did not work.
   
   It didn't come with OS X software, and the 'Mac software' on their support site doesn't install.
   
   So I had to track down how to configure the web interface (Web Search:
   Installing WET610N using the Web-Based Setup Page).
   
   Connect it to the 'Hot Spot'
   
   and get the password RIGHT. ,, In this case, a 'Time Capsule 2TB'. 'Connect Using':
   Ethernet. 'Connection Sharing':
   Off (Bridge Mode).] , Configuring this way 'may' require you to change the settings back on the 'hot spot' when you hit the road and want to share the connection again.
   
   On the plus side, this will definitely work around any 'limits' the 'hot spot' has on number of active connections. , They should all share the internet connection whenever the wireless hot spot is turned on and in range of it.
3. 3

   Step 3: as it generally won't tell you that you've messed up.

4. 4

   Step 4: Plug the bridge into your router or switch.

5. 5

   Step 5: Configure the router to 'bridge' mode.

6. 6

   Step 6: If it's a wireless router

7. 7

   Step 7: only make sure it's a different name from the wireless network that the 'Hot Spot' provides.

8. 8

   Step 8: Plug your computers

9. 9

   Step 9: printers

10. 10

    Step 10: Everybody should have an internet connection

11. 11

    Step 11: and all of the 'high speed' connection activity will bypass your 'Hot Spot'

12. 12

    Step 12: Configure the 'Wireless Hot Spot'.

13. 13

    Step 13: Configure the 'Wireless Ethernet Bridge'.

14. 14

    Step 14: Plug the Wireless Ethernet Bridge into the WAN port of the router.

15. 15

    Step 15: Configure the Router to connect to the Wireless Ethernet Bridge

16. 16

    Step 16: using 'Airport Utility'.

17. 17

    Step 17: Optional: Instead of 'Bridge Mode'

18. 18

    Step 18: Disable DHCP on the wireless hot spot

19. 19

    Step 19: then use 'Connection Sharing: Distribute a range of IP addresses'

20. 20

    Step 20: and manually configure the IP addresses for 'hot spot'

21. 21

    Step 21: router and DHCP addresses so they don't conflict.

22. 22

    Step 22: Connect all of your computers to the router's wired or wireless connections.

Detailed Guide

About the Author