Tethering an iphone to a desktop
November 15, 2010 11:08 AM   Subscribe

How do I use my internet-enabled desktop PC running Windows 7 as a bridge to provide wifi internet to my iphone? I'm in an office building and have no ability to setup an actual wifi router from the main internet connection.

My 3GS iPhone gets absolutely horrendous connectivity in my office building and I am looking for a way to use its wifi capabilities to get a better connection.

Assume that there is no way to add a wifi router upstream at the point an I/T department normally would. We are a sub-tenant in the office building and no access to the networking equipment, etc. Our sub-landlord's I/T department is generally uncooperative.

My desktop is running Windows 7. It is plugged into their network via ethernet cable and enjoys a fast connection. I have full administrative access over this PC and am familiar with opening it up and upgrading hardware. Budget for buying any new hardware needed is not an issue within reason.

My current thinking is that there must be a way to install some hardware and software on my PC to use it as a wifi access point for my iphone. I have no idea how to go about doing this.

Alternatively, there are other, open ethernet ports near me which are "hot" (I've plugged my desktop into these and they work). Could some sort of regular wifi router be connected directly to one of these, circumventing my PC? My concern with this arrangement is that it wouldn't work without administrative access to the network or involving the I/T department here, or that the I/T department would immediately be able to detect it and come stomping over to have me shut it down.
posted by jameslavelle3 to Computers & Internet (7 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 


"Upstream at the point an I/T department normally would"

Why not just plug a wireless router in at the very jack where your computer is plugged in and plug your computer into that instead? Most wireless routers have ethernet jacks on the back as well.
posted by JaredSeth at 11:52 AM on November 15, 2010


or that the I/T department would immediately be able to detect it and come stomping over to have me shut it down.

A simple audit would reveal it quickly. If its against your contract to do this then I suggest not doing it without permission. Not to mention if you plug it in the wrong way you could seriously mess up the network. Perhaps instead of trying to fool them you should contact them about wifi.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:27 PM on November 15, 2010


Oh, there's also a matter of liability. Lets say you plug one in and a year from now its used to compromise the network. Your company could be made liable for any damages. You would most likely be fired.
posted by damn dirty ape at 12:29 PM on November 15, 2010


Technically, this is certainly doable by following the instructions in the link I provided.

But the others are correct that you should think about first clearing this past your IT department.

At the very least, make it a private, WPA2-secured network so others will have a difficult time jumping on your network and downloading stuff (torrents, porn, etc.) that could get you in hot water or fired.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 2:19 PM on November 15, 2010


I think it is worth mentioning that if you are trying to actually make calls over wifi, you will need to use a service like Google Voice or Skype or something (or a combination of the two) so that when you are on Wifi, your calls are over the net.

The iPhone will only get data over wifi, but calls and texts won't work if you have no actual service. Additionally, if you want to avoid this hassle all together, just get an AT&T Microcell.

My friends lived in a basement and always had 'No Service' when they were in there. They got the microcell and they have full bars at all times now.
posted by darkgroove at 3:21 PM on November 15, 2010


But the others are correct that you should think about first clearing this past your IT department.

Even if you "secure" it and attempt to hide it (which I assure you, you're not going to be able to), you're asking to get fired unless you have permission.
posted by Threeway Handshake at 7:26 PM on November 16, 2010


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