I have a user who travels a lot and he wants to have his laptop set up so that he can connect to the Internet from any hotel connection. Does anyone know how to do this?

Heather

There are multiple ways. But first be sure the Laptop has a software firewall installed. Zone Alarm works well for us. This will stop the 'misc stuff' from getting through during hotel connections. And there will be a ton.

The best option is to have 2 different ways of connecting.

Most better hotels offer high speed connections (DSL, Cable, whatever). The Laptop user should carry a short Cat5 wire to connect to their Laptop network connector. Also the Laptop will need to be configured for DHCP. The hotel server will assign a temp IP address when the Laptop is connected. Should connect right at boot if DHCP is set in Control Panel. That's it for high speed. Be sure to have the user add important contacts to the Smarter Email here.

Next would be if the hotel only offers dialup. If your company uses DSL or Cable your provider may have a software that can be installed and a long list of local numbers to call throughout the country. If not the user would need a service like AOL. If you look in your trash basket you probably will find 700 AOL CD's. Have the user stick one in thier Laptop case.

Thank you so much for the information! That all makes sense to me. What did you mean when you said to "be sure to have the user add important contacts to the Smarter Email here." What is Smarter Email"?

I meant SmarterMail. That's the web based Email client here at HMS.

Using the web based mail is important to people who travel. We have client's use it all the time. I use it from home and on the road.

Yep, very nice webmail. The user will be able to have all his messages just about anywhere that has a internet connection so he doesn't have to boot up the laptop and fiddle with all the settings if he just wants to check for new emails (some hotels will have a computer setup for browsing in their lobby or lounge) or send a really quick email.