Typed this missive up while at Bushiban Coffee in (of all places) Garner, NC. Thanks to the so-called Surf and Sip Network, I can pay $2.50 to receive thirty minutes of public Internet access using my own laptop (it’s only fifteen minutes if you use their in-store laptop, which is kind of a gyp, if you ask me). The time is also good at any other coffeehouse on the Surf and Sip network.
I was skeptical, but I have to admit, using their network was pretty easy. I opened up my iBook, and the Airport card found the access point (called “SurfandSip”, natch). I opened Safari, and the home page was set to pop up the log-in screen for Surf and Sip. I typed in my prepaid card’s code, and voilà! I’m on the Internet.
It seems like the access controls are set up behind the Wi-Fi access point. This allows the access point to be left totally open, avoiding the arduous task of setting up your laptop with a 26 character long WEP key just to get to the access point itself.
I have a couple of questions:
- How did my browser know to send me to the Surf and Sip login screen? Was this done through DHCP or some other such trickery?
- When I logged in to the network through the website, how did the browser determine my Wireless Adapter’s MAC address?