Secure WiFi on the move with MiFi
On the move and need a WWAN connection that is secure… I was using a USB720 WWAN card. Worked pretty good for two years. Wanted to have something that had it’s own power so the Netbook would last longer…
I picked up a Novatel MiFi 2200 (Verizon) service. This device has it’s own battery, and makes a WWAN connection over the Verizon EVDO Rev A network and provides a secure WiFi portal for up to 5 devices. Combined with an external battery pack Tekkeon MP1800, I can maintain a secure WiFi connection to the Internet for 14 hours or more without plugging into the wall socket.
The size of a credit card with the thickness of about 1/4 inch, the unit is very small and easily fits in the Netbook case. The battery life on it’s own is about 3-4 hours. Can also be Tethered to the PC to provide USB connectivity and WiFi at the same time (contrary to initial reports. Will post a note about that shortly).
Like the USB720, I get typical 800kb – 1.2 mb connection speeds using the WiFi connection.
Sprint offers the same device as well made by Novatel though it supports GPS which Verzion seems to think is not important.
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By default, the MiFi will not work as a WiFi portal when it is being used via the USB connection.
One way to deal with this is to use a Charging ONLY cable which would allow you to charge the MiFi but still use it as a WiFi portal. Kind of inconvenient.
Found a posting that opened another way and in fact, I am currently using it in this configuration right now as I type this. When connected to the WiFi connection (not USB), access the Management screen and in Advanced-^gt;Config tab, download the current configuration file. This will be in XML format.
Then change the setting:
<routeroverusb>1</routeroverusb>So there is a 1 as the value you like above. Then re-upload the configuration file. The MiFi will reset and you can then plug it in as a USB connection and it will still operate as a WiFi portal.