data on mobile network when using wifi

Lufferov · Oct 27, 2013

Hi,

At work I need to be connected to a wifi network to control equipment. This network doesn't have an internet connection.

Therefore is it possible to be connected to wifi but still get my internet from the mobile network?

Thom · Oct 27, 2013

Welcome to Android Forums.

What did your IT department say about this question? Is it a violation of their security procedures to allow the connection to both environments at the same time?

... Thom

Lufferov · Oct 27, 2013

Thom said:
Welcome to Android Forums.

What did your IT department say about this question? Is it a violation of their security procedures to allow the connection to both environments at the same time?

... Thom

There is no IT department, it's a wifi network that I put in to control equipment. We don't have broadband or wireless internet. That's why I want to continue using my mobile data for internet and the wifi that I installed to control the equipment.

Slug · Oct 27, 2013

Lufferov said:
Therefore is it possible to be connected to wifi but still get my internet from the mobile network?

Not normally, no. Data is routed either via the wireless interface or the mobile network, and if you're connected to one the other is 'closed' to data traffic.

Lufferov · Oct 27, 2013

Slug said:
Not normally, no. Data is routed either via the wireless interface or the mobile network, and if you're connected to one the other is 'closed' to data traffic.

I know it's not normal, but this isn't a normal circumstance, so that's why I'm asking. It's rare but not unheard of for this situation so it seems odd that there is no way to accomplish this.

When I'm at work connected to the wifi, I can't get any of my emails or instant messages, I can't browse the web. It's really inconvenient, turning wifi off is the only way to get this done at the moment, but that's not really an option for me.

Is this a hardware limitation or is it something at the OS level that could potentially be addressed via a custom ROM... not that I'd have any ideas about that, just asking the question.

Slug · Oct 27, 2013

Lufferov said:
I know it's not normal, but this isn't a normal circumstance, so that's why I'm asking.

It's not possible with a normal (standard, out-of-the-box) Android handset.

Is this a hardware limitation or is it something at the OS level that could potentially be addressed via a custom ROM

I think it could potentially be overcome by configuring the mobile network interface as default and modifying the device's route table so that only traffic destined for IP addresses on the LAN are routed via the wifi interface, with all other traffic going via the default.

My networking knowledge is extremely rusty though, so I'll move this to Computers & IT in the hope that some of our more knowledgeable members can offer advice.

MoodyBlues · Oct 28, 2013

Hi there, Lufferov, and welcome aboard.

I know this isn't what you're asking for, but I couldn't help wondering if it wouldn't be easier just to get an additional device. One for wi-fi access to the network and one for Internet access.

Without knowing the specifics of what you need to be able to do, I can't say if a cheap, low-end device would work or if you'd need something comparable to what you have now. But perhaps it's worth some thought.

Rukbat · Nov 6, 2013

It's doable, with off-the-shelf devices. And you can drive a continent-sized truck through the security holes.

If you don't mind having your control wifi network available to just about any high school level hacker, just plug a modem into the wifi router. If you want security, hire someone whose native language is Linux networking. Anything in between is as secure as plugging in a modem.

titetanium · Nov 6, 2013

Hmm, this takes me back to the days when I did the same with an iPod touch. If the internal network has a computer you can connect to, that would help a lot. You'll need to have apps on your phone that can do ssh and vnc. That said, configure the internal computer with ssh and vnc service at boot. You may need to subscribe to noip service for free DNS pointer to the networked computer. Also, at the router, open one port for forwarding to the ssh port and that's it.

On your phone, ssh into the computer, and you will be part of the network via the computer, on your mobile data connection, or any outside data connection. Then you can control your equipment via that machine using vnc in the ssh tunnel. Long story short, it's doable but takes a bit of knowledge to setup.

data on mobile network when using wifi

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