how about configuring wifi on a hotel

[zaq]

how ?
thanx !!!

[M/Q]

You have to do some of the work. 8-) There are numerous threads already active on this very same subject or parts of it. It would be to everyone's advantage if you did some initial research and came back with specific questions and remember google is my friend. It would be the best use of everyone's time and effort.

[beemme]

Hei,
I have a similar ?? as to how to set up wireless in an already existing hotzone area. I want to know if I should start with the survey or if I should set AP's in each store,(this is for a commercial complex), the way I am thinking right now is to get DSL and instal AP's to individual store..I am just assuming all this sitting in my little room..any thoughts as to how to approch this issue..thank you

[james]

If it is in a pre-existing hotzone, it would be a good idea to start out with a survey. Are your access points going to become a part of the hotzone? If so you need to get in touch with whoever oversees the network; again, a site survey would help.

It would be easier to help if you posted some more information.

[beemme]

Thanks for your interest,
Yes the AP's are goin to participate in the Hot zone.I dont want to get too fancy in surveying the place for right now but want to set up a cheap DSL and a AP that will simply do the job. No security issues right now, we would propably have a dedicated computer.

This is what I am looking for,

A affordable AP not very expensive, the range is to access with in the shops say a 40 'by 40 '. which AP available in the market will do the job I know I am searching for a needle in hay stack but a little direction will help like linksys or buffalo or ....again the AP needs to only be AP not a repeater. 100mW is enough I guess

And I would like for the shop owners to have a little front page advertisement for their shop attraction and the user has free access.

[M/Q]

For information like that you may want to use the search function.

http://forums.wi-fiplanet.com/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=77283&sortby=&sortorder=

Also, I would pay attention to threads talking about liability issues as they are going to be the next big thing that will affect people who offer hotspots.

[beemme]

Ok now,
You said liability issues...I am bit confused as to know how somebody like a customer coming to a coffee place can start sending spams or in appropriate mails or pictures using Wi-fi facility from a particular coffee shop, wait a minute Iam confusing myself...

Even if the access is free, from my understanding the user needs to obtain access with username and Password from the facility owner to use the internet, and if watched vigilantly any particular user can be spotted out and be stripped of his permission. In this situation why would it be difficult to maintain a clean service. I am just sitting and thinking all this in my little room can somebody shed more light

[M/Q]

Good questions, one problem is someone giving someone else the username/password. Or like me, not even needing it. Even if they were there legally, they then could get on the Internet and send the spam or nasty stuff as well. The gateway to the Internet is recorded as the IP address assigned to you and it is on every packet sent from the gateway. The hot spot's ISP keeps logs of all traffic and if the Feds have their way they will be able to use a Carnivore derivative and lets say tell it to check/identify all email message that have the word S** in it. So the spooks and Feds think that you are doing it. So, you have to explain that you have a hot spot and that it was without your permission. So then we get to the liability thing, kind of like the bar and giving a drunk another drink and he hurts someone.

I am not sure how you would watch someone using a mass e mailer a person could email thousands of messages in seconds, as long as the bandwidth was available. If you meant physically watch that does not work either just ask a librarian. Hope that helps. It is sad to see it come to this. I want to make sure everyone who is trying to be good and sharing, does not get into trouble for their good deeds.

[beemme]

Thanks mpkn3rd,
very useful message, one thing though when I as a hotspot host give premission to some one to use my facility and he/she abuse it, with the particular usename/Pw I can find out who that individual is and can stop him from using my service ,right? .
Me explaining to the ISP ,yeah I have to deal with that , if I start something like this, I guess and that has to be done througgh some liability contract. No, I dint mean physcially watching some one, that is way more inconvinient and not practical.

[M/Q]

I am not sure how you would find out who was abusing the privileges. If there is more than one client on line at the same time it would be hard to differentiate who was the guilty party. I will have to look into if there is some kind of logging software that relates internal IP addresses to use. I also think the issue has more to do with you protecting your end of the deal. By having a logon, with a liability disclaimer will show good faith on your part. After that, it is up to the legal authorities to decide who to pursue. The grey area as I said is the fall off liability from just being there and offering the service.

As for the username/password controlling the system, that works for the good guys. Not all that much of a deterrent for the serious types.

[rigbyorange]

You can solve the mass email problem by blocking port 25. Also make the username/password correspond with a mac address so that the username/password are only valid with that particular mac address. People can spoof mac addresses, but your average user is not going to know how.

[M/Q]

One of the big reasons going to a hotspot is to exchange email, so IMHO that would not a useable solution.