Wireless hotspot....

[paulk29]

Lads,
I'm considering setting up and installing a wireless hotspot in a friends cafe. Can anyone advise me how and what is the best equipment and the most economical equipment to use etc.? I'm not too hot on wireless yet so any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
Paul

Paul Kilcoyne B eng. CCNA

 

[IPKONFIG]

A shared wireless AP? Linksys is cheap and works good.

"I can picture a world without war. A world without hate. A world without fear. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it."
- Jack Handey, Deep Thoughts

 

[NX01]

You can look into the Linksys WRT54G with the Sveasoft Firmware.

http://www.sveasoft.com

They have a contributors build by Lonewolf that has a Chillispot web interface. You can build your own and customize the login page. The wrt's run $80 USD each and the firmware is free with a subscription to the sveasoft site...depending on the size of the cafe, you could be looking at two or three wrts with a custom config...under $500..not bad.

In the future everything will work...

 

[paulk29]

Lads,
thanks for the replies. I've still a few questions.....if you'll excuse my ignorance;

1. I looked at the sveasoft.com site but was confused, what added featues does it give a WRT54G?

2. Buy paying the $20 dollar subscription fee could I use this Firmware to upgrade an unlimited amount of WRT54Gs?

3. Why would I need 2 or 3 WRTS, is it the range? I thought the WRT54G would be well capable of covering a typical 50 metre radius?

4. Is there any cheap/ reasonably priced wireless site survey equipment or software out there that you'd recommend?

5. Does the WRT54G need a separate DSL Modem or is it built in?

Thanks Guys it means alot.
Slán
Paul



Paul Kilcoyne B eng. CCNA

 

[NX01]

1. The "chillispot" feature does not come with the stock firmware. It also allows you to do a lot of stuff...here is a list

http://www.sveasoft.com/content/view/3/1/

You would want the Lonewolf version that has the chillispot interface.

2. You can install the firmware on as many WRT's YOU own.

3. I don't know your size or design of the cafe...you will just have to see what gets you the best coverage.

4. Not that I know of. but if you buy a WRT and set it up, you could use a wireless laptop to tell you were the dead areas are in your cafe.

5. You would need one dsl modem to be connect to the first WRT. The additional WRT's would be repeaters.



In the future everything will work...

 

[paulk29]

NX01,
thanks for all the info. Unfortunately I havenet had much time since to follow up on your advice but of late I have signed up to the sveasoft site. But I am confused as to how to find the firmware you suggested and how I would "install" it on my WRT54G......can you shed any light?

Also would this firmware do "username and password" authentication for customers connecting to the internet in the hotspot?

Thanks so much for your time it is very much appreciated.

Slán

Paul

Paul Kilcoyne B eng. CCNA