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What is WiFi?
The term “WiFi” is short for ‘wireless fidelity’. It’s basically being able to work or play on the Web without wires. Many airports, hotels, and coffee houses offer public access to WiFi networks so people can log onto the Internet and receive emails on the move. These locations are known as “hotspots.” Now, VESTARR WiFi is bringing this concept to large-scale areas where people live, work and play.
What are the benefits of WiFi?
- WiFi allows you to extend your communication to places wires cannot or do not reach. You can work from the office, home, park, school, coffee shops, bus—anywhere covered by the WiFi network.
- With WiFi, city workers such as emergency responders, have access to critical information at all times and all places, allowing them to perform their tasks more efficiently and safely. For example, firefighters can access building floor plans while en route to a fire. Emergency medical technicians can send patient data in real time to the hospital prior to the patient's arrival.
- Everyday users (you and I) enjoy increased levels of convenience and mobility. Send flowers to a loved one while waiting for a haircut. Instant message a friend from the supermarket to inquire about a secret ingredient to a new recipe. Anything you do online, now you can do on the go.
How does WiFi work?
A WiFi network typically consists of access points connected to the wired portion of the Internet and clients using computers (or computer devices such as VOIP phones) with wireless network cards. Instead of connecting the computer to the access point with a physical cable, they are connected with radio waves. When a user composes an email and sends it, the wireless network card in the user's computer changes the email data into radio waves and transmits those radio waves to an access point. The access point reverses the process by changing the radio waves back into email data and sending the email on its way across the wired portion of the Internet.
The access point and wireless network cards speak the same "language" and know what radio "channel" on which to communicate by adhering to adopted WiFi standards such as 802.11b and 802.11g.
Is VESTARR WiFi service available in my area?
Installation of VESTARR service areas is in progress, and varies from one metropolitan area to another. Take a look at current VESTARR service areas. If you are not located in one of these cities or locations, service from VESTARR is not available to you—yet. Please request VESTARR WiFi service for your area.
How do I sign-up for VESTARR WiFi service?
There are two ways:
- If you are in a VESTARR WiFi service area and want to start receiving service, use your laptop or other wireless device to connect to the Internet. Once connected, go to any website. You will be directed to VESTARR’s website where you can sign-up for service or surf at our low speed for free.
- Sign up now from any Internet connection you may have.
How many email addresses do I get with my account?
You will get one email address for each user on your account. Your email addresses will also be your username when you log in.
What basic equipment do I need?
You will need a device such as a laptop or desktop computer equipped with an 802.11b or 802.11g compatible wireless network card. (Wireless network cards are also sometimes referred to as a "Wireless NIC" or "WLAN/Wireless Local Area Network Card.”)
Most laptops purchased after 2004 come with one of these types of cards already installed as standard equipment. If your computer does not have such a device, you can purchase one from most stores that sell computers or computer components.
Which web browsers are supported?
You will need a web browser to successfully log in to the VESTARR network. The following web browsers are known to work correctly with the VESTARR login servers:
- Mozilla Firefox, version 1.0.3 and later
- Safari, version 1.0 and later
- Internet Explorer, version 5.5 and later
- Netscape, version 7.1 and later
- Konquerer, version 3.4 and later (with OpenSSL)
- Opera, version 5 and later
For a browser to correctly work, it must support the current implementation/support of cookies, JavaScript, HTTP/1.1, SSL/TLS (HTTPS), tables, and forms.
Which operating systems can be used?
VESTARR suggests one of the following operating systems:
- Windows XP, any version
- Macintosh OS-X version 10.3 or later
- Linux
Other operating systems may be used.
How fast is the Network?
Under ideal conditions, the VESTARR network can operate at speeds up to roughly 25 times faster than a 56k dial-up connection. The entire network has been engineered with speed and throughput as a high priority. Your top speed will vary based on the level of access you have purchased (free access or broadband/high-speed), the number of other users with whom you are sharing the network, interference issues, and a number of other variables. But our free low speed is about 2 times faster than a 56k dial-up connection.
Is wireless networking secure?
Numerous books and articles have been written on wireless networking and security. Indeed, entire web sites are dedicated to this single topic. In a nutshell, your wireless connection is as prone to hackers as a hard-wired connection such as cable, DSL, or dial-up. As with any other type of computer networking, there are steps you can take to improve security.
Can I use my account at all locations?
Yes. All paid subscription users can use their account throughout the VESTARR network—that’s one of the huge benefits of city-wide / world-wide wireless networking! Users with month-to-month plans may use their account in any city that has a VESTARR network.
Can I have more than one person log on with my user ID?
No. The second person/computer that logs in will cause the first person to be automatically logged out. If more than one person will be using VESTARR WiFi service, it’s a good idea to add them to the account for a small additional cost per month.
What is the minimum signal strength to get connected?
Typically, signal strength of at least 40% or more is needed for your initial login. Once logged in, lower signal strength is often sufficient to retain a connection and effectively use the Internet.
Can I get a stable connection using the VESTARR network?
Certainly. VESTARR networks include access points in locations that maximize our coverage and minimize disruptions in our customers' service. While fluctuations and interference in signal strength are normal, we strive to make your Internet experience as worry-free as possible.
What happens if I forget my password?
Visit the free-service portal (you do not need to be logged in) and follow the "Forgot password" link. You will be prompted for your username (e-mail addresses) or partial credit card information. If the password recovery feature does not work for you, you will need to contact VESTARR.
Does the VESTARR network support VPNs?
Yes. If your company or another organization provides a Virtual Private Network (VPN) server, you can connect to it using the VESTARR network. VESTARR networks do not block VPN traffic.
Can I get a static IP for my account?
Unfortunately, static IPs are not available at this time. VESTARR may offer business-class accounts in the future that will offer static IP addresses.
I'm only getting 50 KB per second speed, why is this slower than my 56k dialup?
Actually, you are getting it much faster. This is a common misconception with how dialup bandwidth speeds are reported. On the Internet, or any network, bandwidth is reported as Kb (kilobits - note the small "b"). However, in almost all operating systems (all Microsoft Windows included), bandwidth and storage are reported as KB (kilobytes - note the capital "B"). The difference being that there are 8 bits in one byte (like there are 12 in a dozen).
For example. A 56Kb/second (bits) dialup modem will have a maximum download speed of about 4KB/second (bytes) per second. Why? Because FCC limits the speed at which dialup can connect to 53Kb/second (bits), which gives a maximum transfer rate of 6.6KB/second (bytes). Plus when you take in to account noise on your phone line, you're lucky to get about 5KB/second (bytes) per second speeds.
Does low signal strength mean that I am connecting at a slower connection rate?
No. Low signal strength does not always mean slower connect speed. If you are able to connect at a reasonable speed, the signal strength is irrelevant. |
