Need help with setup of internet cafe

X

Xtrodites

New Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2008
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
South Africa
I need some help in seting up a small internet cafe.

I have the software to manage the workstations to limit the internet and pc usage like the time allowed per workstation (customer) and applications that are available to each customer etc.

There will only be 6x pc's in the shop and one will be used for general office use like admin and running the Internet Cafe software from.

Now I'm having the Telkom ADSL Wi-Fi Router/modem installed (Includes 4 built in ethernet ports).

I don't want to run cables all over the shop so I want to go wireless.

What would be the best option here?
 
Xtrodites said:
Now I'm having the Telkom ADSL Wi-Fi Router/modem installed (Includes 4 built in ethernet ports).

I don't want to run cables all over the shop so I want to go wireless.

What would be the best option here?
Click to expand...
The router should be set up in Access Point mode with security of your choice (WEP/WPA,etc) and then each of the PC's should have a wireless adapter such as a Linksys WMP54G, which will then connect to the access point. The router should have DHCP enabled, and the clients' wifi adaptors should be set to automatically obtain DNS and IP adresses from the router. Everything should then work fine ?
 
Do not go wireless, rather stick with ethernet for main pcs and offer wifi for people with laptops - makes network more secure and isnt prone to any interference due to outside signals.

J
 
6 PCs in close proximity on wireless does not sound like a good plan to me. It would probably work...but personally I would not spend many $$$ only to find that all the channels in the area are completely overloaded.
 
since you will be monitoring the internet usage with software on the admin pc, and you wont have an adsl router to do that for you, then you obviously wont really need wireless, because non of your customers will be bringing in their laptop unless they install your software on their pc (not appropriate)

therefore, the safest and best method would be to use cat5 cables. not only will it be faster but more reliable.

once you have the cash to expand and buy the proper internet cafe wireless adsl routers (Wi-Fi hotspot gateway) made for shops and business like yours, then you can perhaps add wireless pc's and allow wireless customers with laptops, PDA's, PSP's to access your internet and be charged for it appropriately.

also, if you are to use wireless, use all the encryption your router allows.
-WPA-PSK+WPA2-PSK
-Disable Broadcast of Name (SSID)
-Wireless Isolation

http://www.whotspot.com/p_whotGateway.htm
http://www.is.co.za/news/mobile/Int...n+a+box+for+the+retail+and+leisure+market.htm
 
Last edited:
Wire them I have 3 iCafe's running and each has a Wireless Hotspot to, 4 PC's per cafe and I limit Wireless traffic to 20 machines on at a time and 30MB a day per lappy.
This all runs happily off a 4mb line. PM me if you need help/advice.
 
I think it's unanimous that I should stick to the more secure wired network layout. I haven’t bought any network hardware yet so it’s no problem to do it the right way.

Thanx for the advice, I appreciate your help.
 
Advice on Cafe Setup

I need to setup an internet cafe in a small Town in Mpumalanga Township. I need advice on the best time management softwares available, Router on whether or not should i use Telkom, IBurst or Vodacom or MTN or Cell C.

I'm planning on using windows.

Thank you in anticipation
Nkosinathi
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X