wifi cafe setup

[Fritzo]

A friend would like to set up wifi access in his coffee shop. When I go to a hotel and connect to their wireless network, it pushes me to a login webpage for an assigned username and password. I'd like to set that up for him...how do they do that?

(I know this goes in the networking thread but nobody ever reads that )

 

[Platypus]

Is this something he is going to charge for?

You might look into some VPN based solutons to accomplish this.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
A friend would like to set up wifi access in his coffee shop. When I go to a hotel and connect to their wireless network, it pushes me to a login webpage for an assigned username and password. I'd like to set that up for him...how do they do that?

(I know this goes in the networking thread but nobody ever reads that )

you can get accesspoint/router combos that do all of this for you.

Or on the larger scale you can put in a big fancy server but that is for covering an entire college campus in wireless...not just a single AP.

 

[samgau]

You can look into setting up a proxy.... If you run linux Squid would be it.... there is a site dedicated to just that... I'll try to find it...

 

[Platypus]

You can use something like he suggested with a Linux box and go through a proxy but that isn't going to afford you any sort of security or encryption unless you set it up with something like SSL, and even then... heh.

Look into 802.1x.

 

[spidey07]

or just make it really simple and just get an access point that contains all the software features you need...

Like built in authentication/redirection and webserver. I know netgear makes one that I tested when testing access points. Pretty slick actually.

simple = good.

 

[SVT Cobra]

you could use a proxy but, like someone said, no security....i firgured out my HS"s one a couple of yrs ago in two secs with some help of software...

 

[jpeyton]

Linksys WRT54G + Sveasoft Firmware + Broadband = Coffee Shop Hotspot

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: spidey07
or just make it really simple and just get an access point that contains all the software features you need...

Like built in authentication/redirection and webserver. I know netgear makes one that I tested when testing access points. Pretty slick actually.

simple = good.

This would be best. I didn't know they had products that do this.

 

[spidey07]

well I get netgear, d-link, linksys and all those guys mixed up so I'm not sure of who makes it.

I don't get impressed by technology much, but this thing was slick. One box solution.

 

[AdamSnow]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Linksys WRT54G + Sveasoft Firmware + Broadband = Coffee Shop Hotspot

What's so special about the Sveasoft Firmware in this situation that the standard cant do?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Normally when you go to a hotel, you'll plugin to the network and get access to a temporary ip address. Once you type in your name and info, the system then gives you access to a REAL ip address on their network. There are software programs that take care of this DHCP functionality.

Make sure he sets up an End User License Agreement that legally protects him from malicious stuff going on.

 

[spidey07]

here is what I was talking about...

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=402

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: spidey07
here is what I was talking about...

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=402

Great find, specifically:

? Login Schedule Policies
? Authentication? RADIUS
? Local (Internal) Database

? Accounting? RADIUS
? Internal Database

? Local (Internal) Database? Store Up to 250 Users
? MAC Access Control List

? On-Demand User Database? Generate Up to 2000 Users
? Account Balance Reminder
? Configurable User Expiration
? Requires External Ticket Printer (DSA-3100P)

? Online User Monitoring
? Group-Based Rate Limiting

and

802.1x/WDA-Enterprise/WPA-Personal
? Dual User Authentication Policy Simultaneous
? Customizable Walled Garden
? Secure User Login (SSL)
? IP/MAC Authentication Pass-through
? Upload Custom SSL Key and Certificate
? DoS Protection? NMAP FIN/URG/PSH
? Xmas Tree
? SYN/RST
? Ping of Death
? Null Scan
? SYN/FIN

and

? RADIUS Client (PAP or CHAP)
? NAT Pass-through Support? IPSec (ESP)
? PPTP/L2TP
? H.323


VERY modular, especially coming from someone like D-Link.

 

[blakeatwork]

I know Linksys has (or had) a "Hotspot in a Box" deal whereby you purchased a WRV54G, setup an account at a 3rd party, and all access went through the software provided.

Found it...

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: spidey07
here is what I was talking about...

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=402

PERFECT!!!!! Thanks!!!!!