Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop

Joining Wireless Hotspots

Your JDS computer broadcasts a request and hooks up with whatever hotspot responds. In other words, joining happens automatically.

Login procedures for public hotspots vary. At free hotspots, such as those in restaurants that want to attract more people, you survey the local area for access points, and then log onto the restaurant’s access point using the network’s name. At commercial hotspots, before you log in for the first time, you have to set up an account that is usually billed monthly, similar to a cell phone account. Once you have an account, you log in each time you connect.

Independent commercial hotspots exist, as do wireless Internet service providers (WISP). WISPs offer accounts that can be used at their affiliated hotspots. Pricing plans vary.

Private Hotspots

For hotspots at work or shared by a closed group of individuals, you should get the appropriate SSID and security settings from a network administrator. SSID is short for s ervice s et identifier (similar to an encrypted password). The SSID contains a 32-bit character-sized key attached to the header of packets on a Wireless LAN. A wireless connection cannot join the network unless it can provide the unique SSID.

How Secure Is the Hotspot?

Private hotspots implement security measures to stay closed to the public. Public and community hotspots tend to have few security measures. If you want a secure connection, see whether the hotspot offers an encrypted Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through capability.