Gordon Dexter on 1 Sep 2009 18:24:12 -0700


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Re: [PLUG] Verizon business installs of WiFi AP's


I've seen a lot of Verizon techs, and I have to say that some of them are of the "I'm not paid enough to care" variety, and others actually want to help you.  In addition to the possible unhelpfulness of the tech, it may be that Verizon's official policy is to not change the SSID unless the customer specifically asks, probably because techs are at high risk of choosing something the customer doesn't want, and asking the customer takes technician time that Verizon doesn't think is worth the slight increase in customer satisfaction.

You say the management is clueless, but I've found there are several different kinds of clueless: the "would you please help me" kind of clueless and the "I don't know how this works so don't touch it you might break something" kind of clueless.  If they are the latter, tough luck, live with it.  It also depends on how approachable the management is--probably best if the management is also the owners.  If the they are approachable and likely to accept help, then offer your help for free if it's worth your time.

Depending on who they want using the wireless (free-for-all? customers only?) it might help if you explained how bad WEP is, either (if they want it open) because users have to type in a 104-bit hex key, or (if they want it secured) because it provides practically no security whatsoever.  Bringing up the issue of branding wouldn't hurt either--connecting to a WAP named after the coffee shop (and possibly using a branded WPA key) makes people remember "this shop has wireless", whereas typing in a long inscrutable series of random numbers and letters to connect to a similarly random access point makes people stressed, especially if they mistype it.

Incidentally, the admin password for the router might just be printed on it, or it might just be the default for that model (their residential models are made by Westell, not sure about their business equip).

If they're really nice and ok with you fiddling with their network, and you make them happy, you might get some free coffee or something out of the deal.  So good luck!

--Gordon

Lee Marzke wrote:
FYI,   I'm in a local hotspot that Verizon just installed in the last week or so.

Bones Grill in Kulpsville, PA    Googlemap:  http://tinyurl.com/mvyoqj
which has great food,  btw, and 25c  wings Tuesdays.

The SSID is:   9FEF5        128Bit  WEP ( using HEX key )

Are the Verizon guys just clueless ?  Why wouldn't they at least change the SSID
to something like  BonesGrille Kulpsville    The local management is, of course, completely
clueless about WiFi.

This is a pain, as the Ubuntu network manager  doesn't have a description entry for
each saved WiFi AP ( So I guess I'll have to track them manually )

Lee



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