CE 1st edition Magazine
Easy to read 'Computer-how-to' with out an engineering degree!
Easy to read 'Computer-how-to' with out an engineering degree!
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Purchasing or setting up wireless hardware specifically designed for offering Wi-Fi<br />
hotspot access provides some useful features that most traditional routers and APs<br />
lack. For instance, for legal purposes you may want to require users to accept Terms<br />
of Service (ToS) before accessing the Internet. When shopping around for hotspot<br />
equipment, this feature is called a captive portal. You may also want to impose time<br />
and bandwidth limits, or even charge for the Wi-Fi access. For features like these<br />
you‘ll likely have to purchase or set up additional hardware specifically designed for<br />
Wi-Fi hotspots.<br />
Private and guest Wi-Fi networks<br />
If you‘re a do-it-yourselfer, you could upgrade a<br />
Linksys or other compatible wireless router with<br />
free third-party firmware, which replaces the<br />
router‘s software to add additional features. The<br />
CoovaAP firmware includes a captive portal to<br />
require end users to accept ToS. It can also<br />
require that they log in via either self-registration<br />
or with access codes you create. CoovaAP's firmware also offers traffic shaping<br />
controls that let you limit bandwidth for guests.<br />
The DD-WRT firmware offers many general Wi-Fi features and customizations in<br />
addition to hotspot features. It includes a simple integrated captive portal and<br />
supports third-party servers and services for more complex hotspot setups.<br />
However, keep in mind that neither the CoovaAP nor DD-WRT firmware offers an<br />
easy way to segregate access to your private network. So, unless you‘re comfortable<br />
making customizations, you‘d probably need to connect the router to a separate<br />
Internet connection, or to a guest VLAN if your existing equipment supports it.<br />
Open MeshOpen Mesh access points<br />
If you want more of a quick, plug-andplay<br />
hotspot setup, consider<br />
purchasing the Fonera Simpl router<br />
from Fon. It offers simultaneous<br />
private and public Wi-Fi signals, so<br />
it‘s best to replace it with any existing<br />
router you have. On the public signal,<br />
visitors are given one hour of daily Wi-Fi access. After that, revenue from additional<br />
time visitors purchase is split 50/50 between your company and Fon. However, users<br />
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