On the road and on the go, the ability to keep up with the workload is essential for today's professional. Using tools from phones and handheld PDA's to tablet PCs and laptops, mobile professionals are able to remain productive while out of the office. This is where EthoStream™ comes in through its EthoStream™ Hospitality Network. In order to provide safe, efficient and productive Internet service, EthoStream™ provides:
Please choose from one of the following areas of Frequently Asked Questions: Getting Started, Finding a Location, Service or Technical Support.
The EthoStream™ Hospitality Network is a network of hotels and resorts allowing customers access to the Internet at speeds up to 100 times faster than dial-up from wired and wireless enabled handhelds and computers from common areas, meeting rooms and guest rooms within the property.
In order to connect to any EthoStream™ Hospitality Network location, the user must only associate to the 'ethostream' SSID or network name or plug into the available network connection and open an Internet browser. (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, Opera, etc)
You may contact EthoStream™ Support at any time 24/7/365 to assist you with any difficulties you may have for prompt resolution.
The EthoStream™ Hospitality Network is available nationwide in hotels and resorts. A listing of these locations is available here.
You may contact EthoStream™ Support in the following manners:
Telephone: 877-838-2089
Email: support@ethostream.com
Messenger: ethostream@msn.com
You may use the EthoStream Hospitality Network locator on the login page or directly by clicking here.
You will have an SSID of 'ethostream' appear in your wireless connection application or network connection dialogue or will have support materials identifying the location as such. This is the network that you will want to connect to.
If you have a location that you think would be a great candidate for an EthoStream Hospitality Network location, you may contact us with the information provided here or by emailing sales@ethostream.com.
Users are able to connect to the Internet at speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional dial-up. At this point, users are able to perform instant-messaging, web-browsing, email and VPN usage just as they could at any other Internet location.
Yes, you would be able to both send and receive emails in any EthoStream Hospitality Network location without changing any of your mail settings. In the rare case that you need assistance, EthoStream Support is available 24/7/365 at 877-838-2089 to assist you with your connection.
You would be able to access your corporate network using your VPN client as you would at home or any other Internet location.
Any network-capable operating system is compatible with the EthoStream Hospitality Network. By connecting to the wireless network, the service works as if the user was at home or at the office. This includes all versions of Windows, Apple computers, Linux and UNIX and all wireless handheld platforms.
Prices vary for use of the EthoStream Hospitality Network at each location. Prices may be found at those properties which charge by clicking on the Purchase Service button and displaying the Purchase dropdown.
Where wireless, the EthoStream Hospitality Network uses industry standard 802.11b (WiFi) technology to allow customers to access the wireless networks. USB, PCMCIA and Compact Flash devices may be bought in any CompUSA, Circuit City or Best Buy location. Where wired, the EthoStream Hospitality Network uses standard networking technologies.
All you need is a network capable computer or handheld. In a wireless environment, this would be a WiFi certified 802.11b card and your portable device, be it a laptop, tablet or handheld. Many laptops shipped today already have WiFi cards installed. For a list of qualified vendors, please visit the Web site of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Association at www.weca.net.
Each EthoStream Hospitality Network location utilizes a Broadband (Fiber, T1, DSL, Cable) Internet line. Connections vary by location but range anywhere up to 100 times the speed of traditional modem connections.
As long as your existing wireless hardware supports the 802.11b (WiFi) standard, it may be used in any EthoStream Hospitality Network location.
EthoStream Hospitality Network accepts MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover where applicable.
Yes! Once you agree to the Service Usage Policy or purchase time, you will be able to access the Internet immediately.
There is no extra software to load - so long as you have an operating system, web-browser and Ethernet port or 802.11b wireless card, your laptop will work with the EthoStream Hospitality Network.
Keeping your connection secure is our highest priority. We strongly recommend that our customers be aware of the security concerns of wireless networking and ensure the security of their Internet connections. The EthoStream Hospitality Network is as secure as any Cable, DSL or T1 connection.
Yes. All credit card information is passed through 128-bit SSL encryption - the same level of encryption used by banks.
EthoStream Hospitality Network uses 802.11b wireless technology where applicable because it is the most compatible wireless technology for today's users. This means that the majority of users are able to use their existing hardware from home or office connections in the EthoStream Hospitality Network locations.
All you need at any EthoStream Hospitality Network location is a wireless-enabled laptop, tablet or handheld computer. Once you are in range of a wireless EthoStream Hospitality Network location, your wireless device will pick up its signal and you will be connected to the wireless network. At this point, you may open a browser in order to login to the service.
No, there is no need for software installation or configuration of any kind. EthoStream's Hospitality Network plug-n-play service allows customers to simply power on their wireless devices or plug in their Ethernet-enabled laptop, open up a web-browser and login.
None of your static settings will be changed. If you use a static address as work, this can remain the same within the EthoStream Hospitality Network location. If you use dynamic addressing, this same form of addressing will be used in your EthoStream Hospitality Network location.
IP Address stands for Internet Protocol address. This address is similar to a mailbox within the postal system. Each Internet or network user receives traffic at its specific address on the network or IP address. If you do not have an IP Address, your requested traffic or web page will have to address to be returned to and your connection will not work properly. This is like mailing a letter without an address on it and expecting it to arrive where you want it to arrive.
All you need is a network capable computer or handheld. In a wireless environment, this would be a WiFi certified 802.11b card and your portable device, be it a laptop, tablet or handheld. Many laptops shipped today already have WiFi cards installed. For a list of qualified vendors, please visit the Web site of the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Association at www.weca.net.
This is a technical question much beyond the scope of a typical user. Most Internet users will have their computers set up to obtain an IP Address via DHCP or dynamically. For those who don't, they are setup to use a specific IP Address or static address, usually configured by corporate IT staff. EthoStream's Hospitality Network is configured so that even user's with static IP Addresses will work correctly on our networks thus not necessitating a change to a user's configuration. In some rare cases, a user may need to configure their machine to receive an IP Address via DHCP in order for the Internet connection to work correctly.
EthoStream provides its' network users IP Addresses via DHCP. Most users will not have to change anything in order for their computer to work correctly. Even users configured to use static IP addresses will be able to browse the Internet due to EthoStream's dynamic routing capabilities. In certain rare cases, users will need to manually configure their machines to receive an address via DHCP in order for the connection to work correctly. EthoStream also provides the ability to obtain a public IP Address dynamically via the web browser for rare situations when a user's VPN requires a direct Internet connection.
Most Virtual Private Network (VPN) software running on a notebook computer configured to obtain an IP from a DHCP server will work with EthoStream's network. EthoStream also provides the ability to dynamically provide publicly routable IP Addresses for rare instances when a VPN requires such.
You can connect using your VPN software exactly the same as you would from any other broadband connection. However, you must first follow the authentication procedure within the portal. To get to this page, simply open a Web browser and go to a public Web site; you will be automatically redirected to the EthoStream Portal Page. Once you have browsed to this page, you may follow the directions to become authenticated. Once authenticated, you may open any client application you wish to access the Internet.
An SSID (Service Set Identifier) or Network Name is an identifier providing a unique signature for a wireless network. EthoStream provides an SSID of 'ethostream' in each property within its Hospitality Network. Your wireless hardware may automatically detect this SSID or you may use the Scan Network feature within the configuration application provided with your wireless hardware to attach to the network.
EthoStream Hospitality Network supports numerous VPN platforms including Microsoft, Cisco, AT&T and others. If you attempt to use your VPN client at any EthoStream Hospitality Network location and are unsuccessful, you may contact EthoStream Hospitality Network Support and they will work to correct any issue you may have.
You can connect using your VPN client as you would at any other location. The only difference is that you need to go through the authorization process within your web browser. Once your PC or device is booted, you need to open a web browser and follow the authentication process. Once this has been completed, you will be able to open your VPN client and access your remote network as you would at any other time.
Yes, EthoStream Hospitality Network provides a secure environment behind a firewall to allow users conduct business and surf the web without the incessant hassle of worms and hackers.
You may order a wireless starter kit from our commerce site at www.ethostreamcommerce.com or from your local Best Buy, Circuit City or CompUSA.
All you need to do to connect at any EthoStream Hospitality Network location is to use your wireless configuration utility or your Windows Network Configuration utility and add a profile for the SSID of 'ethostream' or select 'ethostream' from the available networks.