Wifi/Connectivity in the GA Dome??

[Justin]

Hi Everyone,

Just a question for those who have been to the nationals in Atlanta before. What is connectivity like in the GA Dome? Do they have WiFi accessible from the stands? If so what is the speed like? How is the coverage? Is it free?

Thanks,

Justin

[Pat Fairbank]

I noticed last year that there was a network with free internet accessible form the stands, but the signal would come and go and the coverage was really spotty. I'm not sure where it came from, but the signal might have been stronger somewhere else in the stands - I didn't bother looking for a better spot.

[Ali Ahmed]

Last year a member of my team had his laptop with him in the stands and he was getting a good signal. So, to answer your question, yes you do get a signal. And I am pretty sure its free.

[devicenull]

Yea, last year I think there was a problem with either my laptop, or us overloading the system.. as my connection would randomly die.

[dez250]

Like normal that venue had an in house Wifi system running that was insecure and was able to connect to the Internet through. Do not expect to arrive at the Georgia Dome and be able to connect to wireless. If it is there and permission is given to use it then use it, but because its there doesn't mean its there for you to use. Like a tool from another teams pit, just because its there, you still ask before using it right? So yeah there might be wireless web you can use and there might not be, ask pit admin and they can probably answer if its available for your use.

[sanddrag]

I wouldn't think that tool analogy is good. In the case of wireless networks, I go by the philosophy that if it is open, it is free for use by anyone within range. If the owner/administrator didn't want the public using it, they would have put logins or MAC address filtering.

[KTorak]

I wouldn't think that tool analogy is good. In the case of wireless networks, I go by the philosophy that if it is open, it is free for use by anyone within range. If the owner/administrator didn't want the public using it, they would have put logins or MAC address filtering.

Well, not so true. In the US, it is illegal to leach off non public networks..aka using your neighbors high speed internet through there open wireless network. I'd much rather notify them off the issue and offer a fix (and maybe they would be gracious enough to share their connection for free/cheap). In canada, it is NOT illegal to us an open network like the scenario mentioned above.

Just my $.02

[Jon K.]

Last year there were also random internet kiosks that I think were free. Does anyone know anything about these? I remember seeing quite a few around the pit area.

[Hokie4Life]

Well, not so true. In the US, it is illegal to leach off non public networks

I am an Atlanta Falcons fan, and happen to know that the Georgia Dome is actually owned and operated by the City of Atlanta/State of Georgia, making it public, No? Also, on the Falcons website, it says that free wireless internet is available @ the dome.

[dangerousdave]

Here is a little bit of information from the GA Dome website about First At The GA Dome (http://www.gadome.com/events/firstrobotics.htm)

[RogerR]

<live from the GWCC>

i'm picking up a wireless signal from the VEX pits, though its very low.

[JBotAlan]

<live from the GWCC>

i'm picking up a wireless signal from the VEX pits, though its very low.

Also live, also using VEX Pit Area network. Found many networks up in stands, but all were locked down; WEP keys... Connectivity good here, dropped once in one hour :)

[Heretic121]

ok i had about 4 hits for wireless networks in the stands that were open... two of which were
"circutrunners" and one being "internet - first" so i was wondering if anyone was able to connect to those... i was able to connect but not get on the internet in any form *firefox, IE, AIM* anyone else have this problem???

[kjohnson]

<live from the GWCC>

i'm picking up a wireless signal from the VEX pits, though its very low.

I'm on in the pits right now - it cuts in and out but at least I have a connection!

[JamesBrown]

None of the networks in the stands had internet. Atleast near Galileo there was some signal in the pits but i didnt get a chance to check for internet

[whakojacko]

yep im using the vex pit signal too. Very bad though, it fluctuates in and out.

[Heretic121]

if there is any progress on the wi-fi internet access near galileo... please stop by section 121 and look for the 121 kid w/ the hawiian 25 shirt over it... thx

[pludodog]

dittto the vex pits, except somehow in the middle of Newton, I get ~95% signal strength...

[geeknerd99]

Vex connection worked pretty well from the Autodesk kiosk.

[Collmandoman]

yeah WI-FI at nats is great!
sarcasm^2

[mtaman02]

I was at Galileo and only picked up Peer to Peer Networks ( Between Computers ), I didn't try circuit runners or interent first. however there were a couple of networks with the net but was under WEP Encryption

[coreyjon]

yea, I got wireless signal good, you can find open networks all over (a war drivers dream). But, there is also a cyber center thingy by the starbucks, which is nice. I recomend the Tripple Cafe Mocha!

[devicenull]

I'm in the pits, also on the vex network. I'm not too sure about that internet-first one, as it appeared in my hotel also. So it would appear that however its connected to the internet, its not wireless.

How about at the hotels? My hotel says they have "free" high speed internet, but I can't find it.. I could pay $10 and activate the WAP on my TV, which is apparently what they mean.

I just found a router, and a bunch of ethernet ports mounted to a wall. Its behind 395's pit in newton, on the big pole. Not sure about it, but this internet could be the same as in the dome? I'd go check it out, but I left my network cable in the hotel

[Greg Needel]

i am in the pits also on the vex network and sometimes it wont let me connect....what we need is for all the teams with AP's to hook them up and we can daisy chain internet to the dome :D

[JBotAlan]

I would bring my router if I thought I could leave it somewhere, but I can't afford to lose it. Also, not sure if there are any hard hookups anywhere. I'll just use the vex. It's easier to get on today than it was yesterday.