Forums > Specific Focus > Technical Mexico

khinkle

Jan 19, 2003, 3:07 PM

Post #1 of 15 (2192 views)

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Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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I'll be coming to Mexico for several months soon, and plan to bring a laptop with built-in ethernet port along. I don't have experience with Internet Cafes, and wonder if some or many of them allow you to connect your own laptop to their network. I will want to do e-mail and update a web site once every week or two.

My backup plan is to use web access for e-mail, and copy any files I need to CD to upload to the web site, but it would be much easier if I could just hook up my own PC.

Anyone have experience with this?

tomgibbs

Jan 19, 2003, 3:25 PM

Post #2 of 15 (2049 views)

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Re: [khinkle] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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That is a good question. The spanish keyboards are very disorientating for me. And any computer is better with your own preferences set.

sparks

Jan 19, 2003, 4:48 PM

Post #3 of 15 (2023 views)

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Re: [tomgibbs] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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Many cafes use standard RJ45 connections to a typical 4 or 8 port hub. In a DSL conncection the hub would connect to the router (central point - in/out). You should be able to just plug in to the hub and get an address from the router if your network card is setup correctly. Many cafes in Mexico (maybe only smaller mom & pops) are using cable internet and I'm not sure of the topology but it may be the same. Might bring an RJ45 cable (10-15ft) with you to save them time and energy. Radio Shack probably has them.

pau

Jan 19, 2003, 5:03 PM

Post #4 of 15 (1995 views)

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Re: [khinkle] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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I doubt they will let you plug into their network directly because:-
1) security reasons;
2) they may not want to spend the time for you as you are a transient customer.

I tried it twice and got refused both times. The best I could get was for them to set up my notebook to dial up using their account. My reason was I needed to hook up to a data center to download data directly into my machine.

I think your best bet would be to use web-based email.

sparks

Jan 19, 2003, 5:58 PM

Post #5 of 15 (1967 views)

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Re: [pau] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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I found most places to be accommodating ... IF ... there is someone tending the store that knows what you are talking about. Sometimes it's just the wife or kids. Combine that with language skills and there may be a problem. I really know of NO security problems ... and they do want your money. Just be calm and look for the right place.

khinkle

Jan 19, 2003, 7:18 PM

Post #6 of 15 (1953 views)

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Re: [pau] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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Yeah, my main concern (as someone formerly charged with maintaining network security) was that they would worry about viruses and such.

I can configure my own TCP/IP settings, am hoping most of them use DHCP, but I can do the more intricate fixed-address settings as well as long as I have the info. I'm willing to pay a little extra for the luxury. And I'll be travelling with a native Mexican, which should help surmount the language barrier.

I'll be prepared to use the house PCs, just hoping others had been down this road and used their own laptops with public accommodations.

Roses5410

Jan 21, 2003, 8:43 PM

Post #7 of 15 (1896 views)

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Re: [pau] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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I will be visiting Mexico soon (Lakeside area) and will not be taking my laptop. My parents are located in Korea at this time and I use the AOL Instant Messenger to keep in touch with them almost daily. Do any of the computers in the cyber cafes have an Instant Messanger program loaded on them that I would be able to use? I know that both parties must have the same messenger service to be able to chat so it must be A.I.M.

Thanks...
I love taking pictures...check out my prints for sale @ http://Rosacalaca.dpcprints.com/

pau

Jan 22, 2003, 7:19 AM

Post #8 of 15 (1875 views)

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Re: [Roses5410] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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The times I use the machines at the internet cafe is for web based email. I guess whether they have IM installed depends on the cafe. You may have to do a bit of searching at your destination.

johanson / Moderator

Feb 1, 2003, 6:00 PM

Post #9 of 15 (1833 views)

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Re: [khinkle] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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There is no problem hooking up via an ethernet cable at the CIA (Cafe Internet Ajijic) in Ajijic on the shores of Lake Chapala. They have the Cat5e cable. If that is not good enough for you, go upstairs with your 802.11b enabled laptop and get an IP #. There is a cost but you can choose either 128, 256, or 512 Kb/sec. The WISP is WEP enabled and is MAC specific so don't figure you are going to steal the signal unless you are very very good

Do you want an ADSL connection? Go across the street to the Telmex office and they can set you up in your home, if you are within 3 Km. Not satified, two way satellite internet connections are available as well.

Another good Cafe is the one next to the only Dominos Pizza lake-side, next to the cutoff leading to Guadalajara. They have a 512Kb/sec connection via the WISP with a great backbone to the states

Broadband is alive and well in Ajijic. I just did a speed test at www.pcpitstop.com and got 618Kb/sec

Text Block Size 1000 KB

Download Time 12938 ms Receive Buffer 64240 bytes Transmission Speed 618 Kb/s

It's 8 PM and the WISP is swamped. Normally my download speed is closer to 900 Kb/sec

galfaro

Feb 22, 2003, 6:42 PM

Post #10 of 15 (1759 views)

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Re: [khinkle] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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I spent three months last summer, traveling throughout the Yucatan. I had my laptop with me. I was unsuccessful in convincing cafe workers to let me hook up to their networks. Most are just minding the till and not tech-savvy, so were afraid "something might go wrong." My backup however did work well for me. Since I have an AOL account as a backup, I used AOL's local dialup numbers to connect to the internet through AOL. Speeds were usually from 28k to 44k. Which always seemed faster than most of the connections in the cybercafes. The only problem was finding hotels which allowed direct dialing from the rooms. Most large cities in Mexico have local AOL dialup numbers. There was an additional charge, on top of the $21/month for unlimited access. I believe it was $3/hour to connect to AOL local numbers. It worked well for me and I didn't have to play around with my network settings at each cafe. Good luck.

(This post was edited by galfaro on Feb 22, 2003, 6:44 PM)

johanson / Moderator

Feb 23, 2003, 8:23 PM

Post #11 of 15 (1747 views)

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Re: [galfaro] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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At the CIA ** here in Ajijic where they have a broadband connection, one may connect via cat5e cable. They charge 30 pesos per hour. For more information go to their website at http://www.cia-ajijic.com/

Down the street by Dominoes Pizza is another cybercafe see http://www.florestacyber.com/index.html I don't think they would want you to network with them but they have a 512 Kb/sec broadband connection.

There are at least two more cybercafes with at least 128 kb/sec connections here in town. Having said all of that I would have to agree with the previous post made by Galfaro who pointed out that in most areas the speeds are much slower.

**CIA = Cafe Internet Ajijic

(This post was edited by Johanson the arrogant on Feb 23, 2003, 8:25 PM)

Feb 24, 2003, 12:19 AM

Post #12 of 15 (1737 views)

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Re: [Johanson] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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In Reply To

....one may connect via cat5e cable....

....and at the same time, one doesn't have to. A pet peeve of mine (and I have many pets) is the tossing about of technical specifications which don't have any meaning in the context used, such as the referenced "cat5e cable". None of the existing twisted-pair ethernet media systems standards require the use of enhanced Category 5 ("Cat 5e") cabling -- the 10Base-T specifications call for 2 pairs of Category 3 or better cabling, 100Base-T4 runs on four pairs of Cat 3, the 100Base-TX system that everybody thinks of as 100Base-T requires two pairs of Category 5 cable, and 1000Base-T ("Gigabit Ethernet over Copper") requires four pairs of Category 5 or better cabling.

Enhanced Category 5 cabling or better is preferred for new network installations because it provides greater flexibility and network options. Use of a Cat 5e patch cable to make the terminal connection between the computer and the work area outlet or other network access point only has meaning, however, if (a) the remainder of the connecting hardware, horizontal cabling, patch cables,and jumpers all meet Cat 5e specifications, (b) channels are kept at or beneath the 100 meter maximum length, and (c) installation is performed in a fashion that will minimize signal attenuation, crosstalk, and stub reflections.

What I really think you mean to say is that "one may connect using a twisted-pair ethernet cable", which is sufficient to identify that the "CIA" isn't offering connections via one of the various flavors of fiber optic media systems or coax.

(This post was edited by ET on Feb 24, 2003, 12:22 AM)

johanson / Moderator

Feb 24, 2003, 11:26 AM

Post #13 of 15 (1727 views)

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Re: [ET] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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We had several rolls of Cat5 and Cat5e sitting in the office. The CIA wanted to extend their network. They grabbed what was available from us which was 4 twisted pairs which could have been either Cat5 or Cat5e.

Sure Cat5 and (e) is overkill. But better overkill than underkill

PAUSE

After your comments I visited the CIA to see what they had gotten from us. It happened to be Cat5 not 5e.

I'm building another home and I will be pulling Cat5e through the conduits. Sure that's more capacity than I ever think I will need, sharing files.

Who would have thought 2 years ago that I would be connecting to the internet today at 1 meg. (802.11b technology) here in Ajijic. I could go higher, but I would be sucking bandwidth from the other folks in my network. I could also choose DSL technology here up to 1.5 meg.

Typically down here, the folks use Cat5 for networking. I know that is 4 twisted pair instead of 2. But that's just what the retired nerds do when they network.

Mar 2, 2003, 12:50 PM

Post #14 of 15 (1694 views)

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Re: [Johanson] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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More obsessing about cabling. As indicated in my previous post, the cable installed is only one component in a rated network installation. Logically the connecting and terminating hardware has to have similar or higher ratings. But the real killer comes in the installation technique. If you stretch the cable during installation, put tight bends or kinks into it, improperly terminate the cable in the connects, or commit a myriad of other sins it doesn't matter what grade of cable you chose for the installation, the network won't meet spec.

Both Category 5 and enhanced Category 5 components, by the way, are tested at the same maximum frequency, 100MHz. The difference between the two grades is largely that Cat 5e components are subject to testing requirements for characteristics that were not spelled out in the TIA/EIA-568A standard. With regards to cabling, based on the raw numbers coming back from both QA and installation certification tests in the past few years, I have the strong suspicion that for many manufacturers both Cat 5 and Cat 5e cable is coming off of the same production lines using the same materials, drawing, forming, and assembling (twisting) techniques. The only difference between the two is that for Cat 5e the manufacturer performs and documents the tests showing that the various lots of cable meet Cat 5e specifications.

johanson / Moderator

Mar 2, 2003, 2:00 PM

Post #15 of 15 (1695 views)

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Re: [ET] Plugging in Laptop at Internet Cafes

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Thank God we have someone posting to this group who knows a lot more than I. When I was talked into becoming moderator of this group, I warned David, that I am a pretty damn knowledgeable amateur, but certainly not an expert. Please keep on correcting me and others when we do fall short. And thank you for doing it in a polite way, something I can't say always occurs in some of the other forums.