hotspot-in-a-box solutions

[dmite]

I am thinking of setting up a Wi Fi Hot in a local coffee shop

I am looking for a hotspot-in-a-box solution

Does anyone know of a great a hotspot-in-a-box solution(s)?

I am open to any suggestions.

I want this to be free or Paid Wireless access to the customers

[M/Q]

Welcome to the forum. There are several hardware and software solutions, I have linked two. Most vendors have an AP designed for Hotspot use, I think the Proxim is one of the best. IMHO.

http://www.airpath.com/

http://www.proxim.com/products/wifi/ap/ap2000/index.html

You may want to consider a few things as well. It is becoming more and more of an issue about who is responsible and where liability is placed with HotSpots. For example if you had a spammer connect to your node and he sent out a bunch of spam from your IP, you might get blacklisted. If someone was traffiking the nasty stuff from you IP, well you get the picture. It is just important to realize that there are going to be people that will abuse a good thing, and they know how to avoid the penalties. So, please make sure you are educated to all the real issues and protect yourself from litigation.

[dmite]

Does any one know where I can get a sample contract so that I will not get burned by real issues and protect myself from litigation?

What can I do?

[M/Q]

That aspect is very sensitive to the location you are in. the best approach would be to see an attorney that has some experience/expertise. My attorney friend tells me that having some sort of liability contract is a good idea as it proves good intent on your part. He also says that this is a very untested venue. A for instance is that in Indiania it is a crime now to associate with a open network. But, in other places they are looking at holding the open network person responsible. It is just too new and untested. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of all the issues. It is a shame that it has to be this way.

[Vyper340]

Hotspot in a box:
http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=173

then add any decent AP that you like... I think... Someone correct me if I'm wrong about the hardware.

[codeman14150]

You can go with numerous Hot-Spot solutions. Hot-Spot in a Box is a term that Boingo Wireless uses and they do sell a Hotspot in a Box solution below:
http://www.boingo.com/partner/carrier.html

If you wanted to build your own wireless hotspot, then you could use Cisco, Nomadix, Proxim, D-Link, etc... depending on the quality of access your going to be guarenteeing.

Will this be free or paid for access? Token based, live billing or subscription based?

What services will you offer, etc?

[danielmaui]

As an administrator of an Airpath "powered" hotspot, it is, like many others, using foreign made hardware with foreign written and badly translated manuals with the Airpath name slapped on them. The manuals do not coincide with the on-screen GUI, especially with their ISG-1000 Internet Subscriber Gateway product. Comprehendible documentation is lacking, incorrect, and Airpath takes no responsibility or efforts to correct the problem or offer to upgrade you to hardware that works as described in their material.

Airpath's Internet Subscriber Gateway Hardware: http://www.planet.com.tw/product/product_dm.php?product_id=55&menu_id=15

Airpath's Wireless Subscriber Gateway Hardware: http://www.planet.com.tw/product/product_dm.php?product_id=196&menu_id=15

Furthermore, there are many limitations to the combined Airpath hardware and Wi-BOSS (software/AAA) portion of their solution. One simple example? Let's say, as a customer, you create an account for 1 day access. The next day, you decide you want to extend your account for 3 more days, before or even after your account expires. This is not possible. You can look at your account info, change your address, update a credit card perhaps, but extend your account for another day? Can't do it. It's not even an option.

OK... so now that the account has eventually expired since I couldn't extend it, I want to create a new account. I enter my original user name since heck, the account is no longer available. Can't do it either. A "Username already in use" type message appears. I manage 3 hotspots in different hotels with this problem. And this is just one of the problems. It's a royal pain and I have to deal with these problems on a daily basis.

You might want to look elsewhere unless all you are offering is free service and not dealing with real business customers.

[dmite]

Does any know about this link or know someone that uses this solution? Any pros & cons about this solution

http://www.instanthotspot.com/wsg5000.htm


Thanks

[M/Q]

Dmite, sorry I have no experience with that source. I just wanted to thank Daniel for that information. I guess the situation I used it in was for a company that wanted to allow visitors access. It appears to be working OK in that application, but the traffic is probably a lot less.