Of course, you can research the many different hotspot solutions yourself; however, this book will save you some time by discussing four possible solutions in detail. At least one of these solutions should work well for your business or organization. If not, you can refer to the “Additional Solutions” section of this chapter, which lists more solutions; however, these solutions are not covered in detail in this book.

The following Wi-Fi hotspot solutions are described in the next few sections and also are covered in Part II, “Setting Up the Hotspot“:

• Simple free access hotspot

• Advanced free access hotspot using ZoneCD

• Boingo’s hotspot network to provide paid access

• Free or paid access and private network using a hotspot gateway

Solution 1: Simple Free Access Hotspot

This is the simplest and least expensive of the four different solutions. The Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router (WRT54G) used in this setup is the same type of equipment used in wireless home networks. This solution does not actually have true hotspot features, such as user control and management.

This solution is good if you do not want to require the users to log in and do not want to display a splash screen. This solution allows you to provide simple wireless Internet access to your visitors.

Solution 2: Advanced Free Access Hotspot Using ZoneCD

If you want to give away free access and desire neat hotspot features, this might be the right solution for you. You will need to dedicate a PC to this setup; however, if you have an extra PC, this solution is cost-effective. The software that does the “work” is actually free. To get the premium or advanced hotspot features, you sign up for a service plan, which ranges from $7.95 to $15.95 per month. It is free to use the basic features, though, such as the splash screen and content filtering.

Solution 3: Boingo’s Hotspot Network to Provide Paid Access

Want to be part of a huge hotspot network and provide paid access? If so, this is the solution for you. Boingo, one of the biggest hotspot networks, provides service to thousands of users all over the world in airports, cafés, hotels, retail locations, and more. Setting up the equipment is fairly simple and does not require many technical skills. You actually set all this up through an off-the-self product, the Linksys Wireless-G VPN Broadband Router (WRV54G).

Solution 4: Free or Paid Access and Private Network Using a Hotspot Gateway

This solution is the most expensive option and provides an easy way to integrate or create a private network using the same Internet connection. You can provide either free or paid access with this solution. The D-Link Airspot Wireless G Public/Private Hot Spot Gateway (DSA-3200) has both public and private ports to ensure that your private and confidential information is secured from the public.

The easiest way to provide paid access with this solution is to use the Airspot Ticket Printer (DSA-3100P). You can use your existing cash register or credit card processor to take payments and then print and physically hand out the login information to your customers.

You can also set up a credit card processor for on-demand, online payments from hotspot users via the splash screen. However, this requires the use of an external RADIUS server, which is discussed in Chapter 7, “Solution 4: Free or Paid Access and Private Network Using a Hotspot Gateway.”

Hotspot Features

Table 3-1 provides an overview of the features that each solution provides.

To give you a better idea of the hotspot features, the following list that each feature in greater detail:

• Estimated minimum cost This is the minimum cost for each solution for a small hotspot that does not require extra access points.

• Estimated installation time The installation times also apply only when setting up a small hotspot. This is because the time involved in installing extra access points to provide more coverage varies greatly.

• Hotspot network This identifies whether the hotspot solution would be part of a large hotspot network. As you see in Table 3-1, the only solution that belongs to a hotspot network is Solution 3, where you would be a part of the Boingo Wireless network. This would allow your subscribers to access a Wi-Fi network at a different location, which could entice people to join your network. In addition, people who already have Wi-Fi service with Boingo might be attracted to your location, which improves the marketing of your company or organization.

• Roaming for multiple locations This indicates that the solution somehow supports roaming or management of multiple hotspot locations.

• Built-in private port This helps you easily integrate or create a private network using a single Internet connection and without the use of other equipment. The private port would securely separate the networks.

• Splash (redirection) screen The splash screen provides a way to let users know of any terms and conditions of using the hotspot, the consequences of using unsecured networks, and a way to collect payment or login information before the user accesses the Internet.

• Customizable splash screen This simply means you can customize the splash screen by adding things such as text and images.

• Ticketing system Ticketing systems are used in conjunction with both free and fee-based hotspots. Ticketing systems enable the hotspot owners to physically hand out unique usernames and passwords to customers or visitors.

  For example, you could give out free Internet access to only paying customers. Suppose that a visitor sat down at your café, pulled out a laptop, and connected to the hotspot. The splash screen would stop the visitor from accessing the Internet. It would say that hotspot access is given only to customers, and he must get the login information from the cashier. After purchasing something, the visitor would ask for the login information. With a few clicks from the cashier, a username and password would print and be handed to the customer. The visitor would sit back down, open his laptop, access the hotspot, enter the login information, and be able to use the free Wi-Fi Internet service.

• Remote admin access This feature allows you to access your hotspot’s web-based configuration utility when you are away from the location. This can be handy when you are checking on your hotspot status. You can view connection logs, Internet connection status, and more anywhere via the web.

• Content filtering Content filtering allows you to block specified websites or web pages containing defined keywords. The content filtering works differently for each hotspot solution.

• Port filtering This allows you to block specific ports, which in turn prevents the usage of certain Internet applications.

• Open/close hours This allows you to specify the times you would like your hotspot to be active. For example, you might not want to have the hotspot on while your business is closed.

• Customizable user time limits Applying time limits to users can be useful, especially when you are providing free access. For example, you can limit each user to one hour of access per day or over a specified amount of time.

• Bandwidth throttling With this feature, you can control the amount of bandwidth that is available to users. You could set an upload and download throttle limit.

• Detailed usage reports Usage reports tell you how much your hotspot is being used, when it is being used, and how it is being used. This can let you know some important information about your hotspot users.

Sam’s Coffee Shop: Choosing a Hotspot Solution
In the previous chapter, Sam went through the business-related benefits and costs of hosting a hotspot in his coffee shop. He decided he wanted to provide free access to his hotspot; however, he did not know which solution would be best for his situation. After reading Chapter 2, though, he is certain that Solution 2using the ZoneCDwould be best. He did not pick Solution 1 because it does not provide the splash screen and other hotspot features he wants to have. He thought Solution 4, using the D-Link hotspot gateway, was a bit too expensive for his budget.

To save some money on his hotspot solution, Sam is thinking about using an old family computer with the ZoneCD software. Just in case he decides not to dedicate the PC for this purpose, he spoke to a local electronics shop, which said he could get a simple computer fairly cheap that would work with the ZoneCD.

For the first month, the plan is to sign up for one of the premium services provided by ZoneCD so that Sam can see how all the features work. If it looks like the features are being put to use, he will keep the service; however, he thinks the free version will be adequate for his situation.

Additional Solutions

If you are looking for specific features and functionalities in your hotspot solution and they are not supported in the four solutions discussed in detail in this book, do not worry; many other solutions exist.

Even though this book does not step you through the installation and setup of these additional solutions, you can still benefit from this book.

Following are several other solutions that you should consider implementing:

• Use low-cost wireless routers with replacement firmware.

  You can use a Linksys Wireless Router (WRT-54GL or other support models and brands) that is loaded with open source firmware, such as DD-WRT or Sveasoft. These replacement firmwares give you many neat and usually expensive features, such as a splash screen (also known as captive portal), multiple service set identifiers (SSID), VLANs, and repeater mode, all at no or low additional cost.

  For easy remote administration, better usage reports, the ability to accept payments, or when deploying and managing multiple hotspot locations, you can use a service such as SputnikNet with a supported wireless router and the DD-WRT replacement firmware.

  For more information about DD-WRT replacement firmware, visit http://www.dd-wrt.com.

  For more information about Sveasoft, visit http://www.sveasoft.com.

  For more information about SputnikNet service, visit http://www.sputnik.com.

• Use low-cost wireless routers and software on a PC.

  Similar to ZoneCD, which is one of four step-by-step solutions in this book, the following software titles act as the wireless controller, or hotspot gateway, used in conjunction with a basic wireless router, such as the Linksys WRT-54GL:

  - Less Networks’s Hotspot Server For more information, visit http://www.lessnetworks.com.

  - PatronSoft’s FirstSpot Windows-based Wi-Fi hotspot management software For more information, visit http://www.patronsoft.com.

  - Antamedia’s HotSpot Software For more information, visit http://www.antamedia.com.

• Use a hotspot gateway.

  Using hotspot gateways is more expensive than the other methods; however, this method also offers advantages, such as the ability to use hotspot ticket printers. In addition, hotspot gateways provide a more plug-and-play installation and are typically better suited for enterprise-type environments.

  The following are hotspot gateways, other than the D-Link solution that is discussed in detail in this book, that you might want to use for your hotspot:

  - Versa’s 802.11b/g Multifunction Hot Spot Subscriber/Gateway (Model #VX-HG11G) with optional ticket printer

  The gateway has separate public and private Ethernet ports, allowing easy integration of your public and private networks.

  For more information, visit http://www.versatek.com.

  - SMC’s EliteConnect Wireless Hotspot Gateway (model #SMCWHSG44-G) with optional ticket printer

  Multiple WAN ports can pump up to four Internet connections into your network to create a super-fast hotspot or to guarantee an always-on connection.

  For more information, visit http://www.smc.com.

  - Airepoch’s 802.11 b/G High-Speed Feature-Rich Indoor HotSpot Access Gateway with optional ticket printer

  This also has multiple WAN ports that can pump two Internet connections into your network to create a fast hotspot or to guarantee an always-on connection.

  For more information, visit http://www.echotechwireless.com.

  - ZyXEL’s 802.11g Wireless Hot Spot Gateway (model #G-4100R) with optional ticket printer

  This gateway provides outgoing Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server redirection to help control and eliminate spam from your hotspot.

  For more information, visit http://www.zyxel.com.

Typically, to remotely manage your hotspot(s), to view better usage reports, to accept online payments, or when deploying and managing multiple hotspot locations, you should use a hotspot billing service. Following are a few companies that offer these types of RADIUS service:

• WirelessOrbit http://www.wirelessorbit.com/

• ALEPPOE http://www.alepo.com/

• Pronto Networks http://www.prontonetworks.com

Similar Posts:

• Figuring the Costs
• How Users Find Hotspots
• Gather the Necessary Items
• Configure Additional Settings
• Benefits of Hosting a Wi-Fi Hotspot