Starting a Wifi Hotspot

[dvdwalt]

Yes,

I'm the author

 

[frenchi6625]

ah, just realised that. not exactly for the noobs though, but I'll play around with it a bit when i get a chance.

 

[Lourens]

Hi,

I am looking for something simmilar to 2hotspot - this is the fastest setup that I have used so far but I am not happy with it because I could bypass the serive to use the internet from one of my laptops with a netgear card/software installed. see http://www.2hotspot.com/

Thanks,

Lourens

 

[Gromitt]

My vote goes for RB532 with RouterOS and the "user manager" interface. We have numerous hotspots running this setup and not a moments hassle.

PM me if you would like details.

 

[Nightsight]

Thank you to all the contributions. Much appreciated. I have not yet found exactly what I was looking for. I see that the Linksys WAG54G router's firmware can also be modified (I'm a total dud in this), but I cannot download the open source code for it from their site. I guess if I have this, and it works, I can recommend it to my honoured collegues to use my stuff on their premisis also.

Whoops!

The mikotik, and routerboard sites are rather complex and intimidating to say the least for the first time browser.

The biggest this that scares me away from Mikrotik is the UI to configure the board. The idea is to spend only what's needed and even learn something in the interim, crating something that can take me forward. Then I'll be able to do it myself next time, but when it comes to code writing and XML scripts, I steer away.

best bet is to buy the board and license in one. and if you're using it comercially, get a pro to set it up.

I bought the MSI WHSG-14G not too long ago, but if I go ahead with what I intend to ventually do, this will be quite an expensive option..., thus my question. How will I be, or who are able to change the firmware on the Linksys (which is more than 5x cheaper than MSI) so that it works in the same fashion as that of the MSI that I have?

 

[Gromitt]

The biggest this that scares me away from Mikrotik is the UI to configure the board. The idea is to spend only what's needed and even learn something in the interim, crating something that can take me forward. Then I'll be able to do it myself next time, but when it comes to code writing and XML scripts, I steer away.

I assume you have not had a look at RouterOS? No need for scripting, it sets up the hotspot using a wizzard, what more do you need?

 

[Nightsight]

Granted. I have only looked at the website where they show some of the setups and it looks quite complicated. I'm a lazy-nonscripting-windowsbasedGUI-type of operator and will find my way easy around that.

I will, however try out the Mikrotik, as I also have a very high regard for it, but just never deamed myself experienced enough to be able to work with it. What do you think about the MSI, though. Would you think it was a good buy (except that it was expensive)?

You guys are great. I have to say. I had a lot of great input and offers to help out. I couldn't have asked for more. Thank you again.

 

[Kloon]

If you dont wanna script dont go near mikrotik cause you'll sit with all the power but dont know how to use it.

 

[Gromitt]

If you dont wanna script dont go near mikrotik cause you'll sit with all the power but dont know how to use it.

As in my previous post, I assume you have not used the GUI in RouterOS?

 

[headstrong]

If you dont wanna script dont go near mikrotik cause you'll sit with all the power but dont know how to use it.

Winbox is very useful for routerOS

 

[wifi beginer]

I already have a cyber cafe and want to provide WiFi access to local community. Of course it won`t be free of charge or with the unlimited upload/download bandwidth quota.

My plan is to setup Windows based software solution which can be easy managed from my employees while i`m not in caffe. After some time spend in the research over web i found perfect WiFi billing software solution for my needs.
In next couple days i will set the network to the software needs since HotSpot software must to be used on the gateway computer.
Since i`m not network expert should i worry about security between computers connected over wifi to the gateway computer?
What is your experience with the wifi software solutions?

 

[ambo]

Since i`m not network expert should i worry about security between computers connected over wifi to the gateway computer?

You first security concern should be the fact that you are trusting windows as a router/gateway

RAS

 

[diebaas]

I already have a cyber cafe and want to provide WiFi access to local community. Of course it won`t be free of charge or with the unlimited upload/download bandwidth quota.

My plan is to setup Windows based software solution which can be easy managed from my employees while i`m not in caffe. After some time spend in the research over web i found perfect WiFi billing software solution for my needs.
In next couple days i will set the network to the software needs since HotSpot software must to be used on the gateway computer.
Since i`m not network expert should i worry about security between computers connected over wifi to the gateway computer?
What is your experience with the wifi software solutions?

This sounds like a another wisp

 

[Kloon]

Like in previous posts in this thread I'd suggest Routerboard, it has a hotspot package you can use to restrict usage and all that jazz.

 

[Ryder_JHB]

I already have a cyber cafe and want to provide WiFi access to local community. Of course it won`t be free of charge or with the unlimited upload/download bandwidth quota.

My plan is to setup Windows based software solution which can be easy managed from my employees while i`m not in caffe. After some time spend in the research over web i found perfect WiFi billing software solution for my needs.
In next couple days i will set the network to the software needs since HotSpot software must to be used on the gateway computer.
Since i`m not network expert should i worry about security between computers connected over wifi to the gateway computer?
What is your experience with the wifi software solutions?

As previously recommended to others before you who have come here and asked similiar questions, (Search the forum) - All I can suggest is that if you don't know what you are doing in relation to wifi, networking etc, then you probably should not be attempting something like this in the first place.

 

[ndewet]

Perhaps try hosted (software as a service) solution

I'm going to try to be as objective as possible here (see my signature). If you don't want to run the authentication and authorization services yourself you can outsource that portion and there are a number of local service providers that do just that, ourselves included, except we took things a step further and released our own firmware that runs on the Linksys WRT54GL amongst other platforms (Mikrotik Rourterboard 532).

The Linksys is an inexpensive platform and probably perfect for your requirements. For large scale deployments (say 50+ concurrent users) the 532 is a better investment.

Finally dvdwalt your project looks like a great initiative.

 

[D-Boy]

Dang.............. 4 years later..... after searching the forum

I'm going to try to be as objective as possible here (see my signature).

hahahahahaha, Yea nice signature, but if you want to use redbutton today......you can't use your own hardware or internet.....u must buy redbutton linksys unit, can only be recovered with JTAG btw.... and you cant use your own INTERNET, they want to install a they're own ADSL at your location.... nice.................................................or NOT!!!.....pretty much useless if you ask me