What is the best/cheapest cisco router w/built in server

[datdamkid]

Looking for a cheap/good cisco router w/built in server for a motel .....don't want to spend more than 100-200 bucks for it.

 

[Nothinman]

WTF is a server for a motel?

 

[nightowl]

What are you exactly going to use this for? I can understand the router but a server?

 

[SpunkyJones]

What they said ^^^^ What are you looking to do exactly???

 

[datdamkid]

Well I want to hook up wireless there. And I would like to have a router w/a firewall and what not. We will be having 8 Access Points...


Thanks
Palak

 

[Nothinman]

I don't get what a "router w/builtin server" has to do with setting up 8 APs. What kind of server are you talking about? And don't say Cisco...

 

[datdamkid]

My cousin, told me about the router w/the server. I'm not quite to sure what it means. I'm guessing he just meant by a firewall and stuff like that. And I would need a router to hook up all the AP's which needs a firewall for protection.....

 

[beatmix01]

more specific details please.

probably talking about linksys - not cisco.

 

[Oceanus]

maybe he's just needing DCHP 'server'...?

DATDAMKID, sorry if this seems too simple but when you say server I think a large PC hosting files (client-server). Are you going to files/service for the motels customers, like an internal website? If not see what your friend ment by 'server'. DHCP is common in most routers.

 

[Boscoh]

Originally posted by: datdamkid
don't want to spend more than 100-200 bucks for it.

You wont be getting Cisco then.


And I agree, he's most likely talking about a DHCP server.

You're wanting a server that lets your motel guests simply get on the Internet, correct?

 

[Goosemaster]

Damn you people can be assholes. Who cares if they are douchebags ( joking ) or just uninformed?!/ Help them courteously or stick with posting in off-topic:


as for my response:

If you are looking for wireless acess services for a motel, you will need:

1) an internet connection such as DSL or cable Internet
2) a main router with NAT to allow all your traffic out over a single IP
3) a security/management server(as in a computer running an operating system)

I recommend the D-Link DSA-3100 Public/Private Hot Spot Gateway gateway. All you have to do is read the instructions and it takes care of the rest of the management stuff. In addition, just put a 8-port switch behind it and attach the AP's.


internet----DLINK GATEWAY-----switch---your AP's



I apoligize for all the ingrates in here.....something about Monday's draws them out for food or something.....

 

[imported_FishTaco]

If you have a spare computer, a linux solution will be cheaper. check out nocat.net, it'll perform authentication for you, redirecting all web requests to a login page till they authenticate, then they can go where they want. You didn't mention whether you wanted to restrict access to your network or whether you just want it open to anyone in range. I'm assuming you want to restrict to paying customers.

nocat doesn't need a super powerful computer, any old pentium or pentium II will be fine. So you should be able to set up authentication for cheap. For a router/nat/firewall checkout one something like smoothwall or ipcop.

Note that you'll have to take some time to read and understand how to set this stuff up, but it'll save you money. Judging from the price point you set $100 - $200, I'm assuming you want things on the real cheap. Of course if you want a fully boxed/ready to run system they are available too as Goosemaster pointed out, but that unit is more than twice what you wanted to spend.

 

[datdamkid]

Originally posted by: Boscoh

Originally posted by: datdamkid
don't want to spend more than 100-200 bucks for it.

You wont be getting Cisco then.


And I agree, he's most likely talking about a DHCP server.

You're wanting a server that lets your motel guests simply get on the Internet, correct?

yes, that is correct.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: FishTaco
If you have a spare computer, a linux solution will be cheaper. check out nocat.net, it'll perform authentication for you, redirecting all web requests to a login page till they authenticate, then they can go where they want.

q]

"neato"

 

[Boscoh]

Just about any router out there will be able to do DHCP. Goosemaster's recommendation is probably a good one to look at.

 

[datdamkid]

Would this router be a good choice? It will be having 8 AP's hooked up w/it and a T1 line connected to it.