WiFi Router in a College Dorm

[PohangThunder]

I technically live in an apartment but the University doesn't allow routers in the rooms at all. I understand why they don't allow this but in my room, the WiFi is really really weak. The only thing I can think of is getting a WiFi Extender or a Router. How would I set up the router to keep it from getting caught? Any help would be great. Thanks.

I'm not really good with networking issues so please be specific.

 

[basroil]

Talk with your university, most have exceptions they can make if they don't fix their end.

 

[bill001g]

A wifi extender will likely make your problems worse. It is not some magic box that increases the signal levels. It receives the signal and re transmits it. If you put it in your room it will get the same weak crappy signals and make it even worse by transmitting a signal that interference even more with the connection back. A extender would only buy you something if you could place it where it gets good signal.

Not sure how you would use a router...unless you have active ethernet jacks in your room. It depends how technical the restriction is. You could connect a AP to the wall jack since that technically is only the wireless part of a router. I suspect though the restriction is not the router itself but any unauthorized wireless source. They likely are worried about interfering wireless signals....but your phone running in hotspot mode does the same thing.

I would complain to them and ask them to place a AP in your room if you have ethernet jacks. This would also provide better signals for those near your room also.

Pretty much if they want to they can detect any wireless signal from any wireless device no mater how hard you try to hide it. This can be done with inexpensive wireless bridge units from ubiquiti using their spectrum analyzer feature.

Now these same outdoor bridge units would be a option if you can accept ethernet input. Something like ubiquiti nanostation or engenius enh line. Which you use depends on what band you need. These are best thought of as directional wireless nic cards that connect to your pc via ethernet. They of course will not solve the problem of a phone that gets poor signal.

 

[PohangThunder]

A wifi extender will likely make your problems worse. It is not some magic box that increases the signal levels. It receives the signal and re transmits it. If you put it in your room it will get the same weak crappy signals and make it even worse by transmitting a signal that interference even more with the connection back. A extender would only buy you something if you could place it where it gets good signal.

Not sure how you would use a router...unless you have active ethernet jacks in your room. It depends how technical the restriction is. You could connect a AP to the wall jack since that technically is only the wireless part of a router. I suspect though the restriction is not the router itself but any unauthorized wireless source. They likely are worried about interfering wireless signals....but your phone running in hotspot mode does the same thing.

I would complain to them and ask them to place a AP in your room if you have ethernet jacks. This would also provide better signals for those near your room also.

Pretty much if they want to they can detect any wireless signal from any wireless device no mater how hard you try to hide it. This can be done with inexpensive wireless bridge units from ubiquiti using their spectrum analyzer feature.

Now these same outdoor bridge units would be a option if you can accept ethernet input. Something like ubiquiti nanostation or engenius enh line. Which you use depends on what band you need. These are best thought of as directional wireless nic cards that connect to your pc via ethernet. They of course will not solve the problem of a phone that gets poor signal.

What do you think about hiding my SSID and only broadcasting in 5.1 GHz?

 

[bill001g]

It only hides it from stupid scanners like run on a phone. They can easily find devices if they want to. You can actually even see wireless keyboards.

 

[PohangThunder]

It only hides it from stupid scanners like run on a phone. They can easily find devices if they want to. You can actually even see wireless keyboards.

I just set it up and when I tried to sign in on my phone. It required me to log in through my universities network, so I don't think I can go undetected. Do you just recommend that I try to get the IT department to fix it? Thanks

 

[jsmithepa]

I bet the university doesn't guarantee you any kind of performance. You are able to download the professor's assignment, can get email, that's all they will do for you. Wanna buy a killer cellular plan?