Internet connection to wifi handheld from RJ45 wired hotel room

[HKFella]

Any help from tech savvy members towards a solution to this challenge would be much appreciated.

The situation:
A hotel chain I regularly use for outings provides wired internet access in guest rooms through RJ45 ethernet jacks in the wall. Wireless is confined to common areas like lobby, gym and pool - where I have no problem accessing internet on my Windows Mobile 6 handheld device. Is there a convenient way I can use this device with the wired internet in the room as well, so I can leave my laptop at home and travel light?

I'm thinking special connector cables or other gizmos (small factor) that might be able to bridge the ethernet socket in the wall with my handheld (I don't mind it being tethered to a cable for the duration)? For connectivity, it has Bluetooth (1.2 with A2DP), 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi modem, and a mini-USB socket. (It also supports quadband gsm, WCDMA/UMTS Tri-band and hsdpa, but for now I'd rather stick to the internet provided by the hotel and not touch data plans with my monopolistic wireless/cellphone service provider (Rogers - aargh!)).

[discobay]

First thoughts would be to use a wireless modem/router.

[jimbo]

yup agreed get yourself a small cheap router for a couple of hundred dollars hk.

[krypton]

That is about the only solution that comes to mind. Linksys has a compact model which is very small (limited range but that is not a problem within a hotel room). ~ HK$250.

[PDLM]

You don't need a full-blown router - a wireless access point would be fine. Some hotels I have stayed in actually have them available for loan if you ask.

And wouldn't a simple Amazon.com: USB2.0 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Adapter: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31dwyArwCQL.@@AMEPARAM@@31dwyArwCQL (plus a USB to mini-USB cable) do the job, assuming you can install the driver on your device?

[kostas]

and just make sure you keep it secure or restrict the allowed MAC addresses..

You don't want someone else doing illegitimate things over your room connection..

[HKFella]

Thanks to everyone who posted for pointing me the right direction. Apologies for late acknowledgement - was tied up. Found some travel/pocket/mini routers (and APs) through web searches, and the one I've zeroed in on is "Asus WL-330g 802.11b/g Travellers Wireless Pocket Access Point + Ethernet Adapter" - Canada Computers - Networking > Wireless Routers : ASUS WL-330GE Wireless Access Point, Ethernet Adapter 802.11. (sorry, Asus site down for maintenance at this time so can't link). Is this the kind of AP, not router, you had in mind, PDLM?

I found the Linksys WTR54GS online (not the WRT54GS which I use at home), but it's much pricier than the HKD 250+ gadgets, at least on hkgolden.com (HKD 585).

I've never used a wireless router without being connected by patch cord from a PC, so I presume initially one uses a similar link to do the set up including MAC filter (thanks, Kostas) through the browser UI, and that during the hotel trip the AP/router can just be plugged into the ethernet wall socket in hotel room and the handheld would be linked up to it through its internal wi-fi modem. Right?

And PDLM, regarding the wired solution, that's exactly what I was exploring initially and my searches came up with similar devices RJ45-USB A (the title always said "mini USB", but the jack was always the full-sized USB A). Just wasn't sure whether these could be further linked to the mini-USB on the handheld through a USB-A to USB mini cable, and whether the two were even compatible (I think I would also need a female-USB A to female-USB A adapter to connect the two cables, right? USB A Female to A Female). Drivers - never installed one on a handheld, so that'll be a first. Do you think these cables/adapters are compatible end-to-end for data transmission/synch as opposed to recharging?

[PDLM]

Yes, that's the type of AP I had in mind, although I picked one up in Wanchai Computer Centre a year or so back for (I think) HK$180. One thing to remember is zize - you will have a power supply as well as that unit to carry.

For the wired solution I'm really not sure - I don't own a handheld, so I'm not sure what the capabilities of the USB port are. I do have a an ethernet through USB solution on my desktop, but I realise it may not scale down to handhelds.