Allow visitors access wireless network

[Vaughn]

I have an office with a wireless network. We have quite a lot of visitors who ask for access to the wireless network to get on the internet. But I do not want to provide it as they would then have access to our whole network.

Is there a way to setup an Access Point that is unencripted that would allow visitors to have access to the internet but not our computers?

Vaughn

[golfnut]

If you really want to protect company information, it might be a better idea to get a DSL line and let you visitors access Internet through that.

Greg

[Vaughn]

I don't realy want to go to the expense of paying for another phone line and monthly DSL charges.

Is there nother way?

Vaughn

[M/Q]

This diagram shows one method that will isolate the public wireless from the private.

| signifies wired connection
<> signifies wireless connection

Internet perimeter device
|
>- Switch
…….|..|
…….|..>- Router 1
…….|……….|..<>
.....|........|...>- wireless access for private network
…….|……….>- Private network and computers
…….>- Router 2
…………..|
……………>- Hotspot AP
…………………<>
…………………..>- Public network/clients

Router 2 is actually not even required unless you want to put some usage/throughput restrictions on the guests. If router 2 is not used then the Internet perimeter device will have to have an active DHCP server.

Router 1 could be a wireless router if it can be located to have the appropriate coverage area. Or another AP can be connected to Router 1 to serve the wireless clients, (my preferred method).