Welcome Message Wifi Log-In

[carnageultra]

So i have a client who wants people to enter the building, log on to the network, and get a first page with a welcome message and a log-in box to enter a username and password. And yes every time you log on to the network you must enter the username and password. As I am typing this it seems senseless. But can it be done?

[M/Q]

This might be something to checkout.

http://www.publicip.net/

[carnageultra]

@M/Q

Dam your Good, Thanks alot!:)

[umdivx]

also check out http://www.valuepointnet.com/products/controllers/index.html

you basically plug in these devices between your access points and network. Creates a splash page/walled garden and allows you do to login as well.

- Josh

[golfnut]

Josh - does that unit support using an external web server for the login page?

Greg

[umdivx]

Josh - does that unit support using an external web server for the login page?

Greg

Yup. Thats how we do it now. So instead of having to manage changing each box, we only have to change one location.

- Josh

[golfnut]

Cool, that's how we do it with other gateways as well. We're going to try this unit for an upcoming project.

Thanks!

Greg

[umdivx]

Cool, that's how we do it with other gateways as well. We're going to try this unit for an upcoming project.

Thanks!

Greg

just a little fyi if its going to be a bigger deployment use the NC-3500 or the EC5000, we had the misfortune of being one of the early users of teh NC3000 and found out quickly it wouldn't support the number of guests we had using our hot spots.

Now we run EC-5000's at every single hotspot we run, and I couldn't be happier with them.

- Josh

[InnHotspot]

Golfnut,
What is the approx cost of the ValuePoint units?
So basically, no need to set up a full fledged hotspot to have the benefit of being able to "flag" users of even a wifi network?
I have similar need as Carnageultra: letting Guests in my small B&B use my wifi service. So far, I have retained the WPA encryption just to make sure that my limited Satellite ISP bandwidth does not get highjacked bby undesirables. The PublicIP setup you mentioned above is a bit more elaborate even though, I am sure, effective (I have checked into it): needs a separate Linux based box to parse out WiFi between the public accessible zone a private side. The Valuepoint boxes just install btw BBand modem + AP or wireless router AND user network? How does it all connect in the case of a wifi network? Where does the ValuePoint box go?
Thanks and thanks for Carnageultra bringing this up!
- Roger T

[umdivx]

Golfnut,
What is the approx cost of the ValuePoint units?

go to valuepoint's website and fill out the form for pricing. I believe the NC-3500 which is what you'll want for a low to mid range hotspot is around $800 but I could be wrong, its been a while since I've had to look at prices for them.


So basically, no need to set up a full fledged hotspot to have the benefit of being able to "flag" users of even a wifi network?

Not sure what your asking here. Basically for Value Point setup, what you'll do is get an internet connection, cable, dsl, ect....

plug the value point into the modem of the internet connection.

Then you'll plug in the access points into the value point gateway.

you'll then go through the setup, whether you want a splash page, or to charge, ect...

once you do that, your good to go.

also valuepoint can walk you through the setup process, their support staff is good and the best part is they are in the US, which makes it even easier. the gateway is actually pretty easy, its all web page controlled, so you just log into the gateway via its ip address, configure it via the web gui, and your done.



I have similar need as Carnageultra: letting Guests in my small B&B use my wifi service. So far, I have retained the WPA encryption just to make sure that my limited Satellite ISP bandwidth does not get highjacked bby undesirables. The PublicIP setup you mentioned above is a bit more elaborate even though, I am sure, effective (I have checked into it): needs a separate Linux based box to parse out WiFi between the public accessible zone a private side.

If your looking for a way to have your personal pc, and B&B business pc's seperate from the "guest" wifi, then you'll want a more advanced setup.

You can take an old pc, and I mean old, like pentium 1, old, install three network cards into it. one for the internet, one for your personal network and one for your guest access. Then download, IPCop, which is a all in one linux firewall OS, you download a cd image, burn it and install it like an operating system. the best thing about ipcop is that you DO NOT need to know linux as you configure it all via a web gui.

then you can use a plugin to ipcop call NO Cat Splash, which will then do the splash page for your guests on the wireless, its a little harder to get no cat splash to work correctly on an IP Cop box.

Another "cheap" option, you can get a $50 router, Buffalo Tech WHR-HP-54G, then install www.dd-wrt.com firmware.

Once you have DD-WRT up and running on a router like the buffalo it will basically turn your wireless into a splash page protected network, it'll support vlans, so you can separate your personal/business pc's from the guest wireless, and you can also to bandwidth control, QOS, so that one guest can't over run your internet connection and kill everyone else.

so as you can see there are "several" options out there.


The Valuepoint boxes just install btw BBand modem + AP or wireless router AND user network?

Correct. it goes:

Modem <======> Value Point box <======> access point or wireless router with the router part tuned off.


- Josh