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Hotel Wireless Internet Installation

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by powlboyjr

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Hello, everyone.

I have a question about installing wireless internet in the hotel at a casino I work for. Does anyone have any recommendations for equipment?

I recently stayed at a hotel and was presented with an agreement page on what I think was a cisco wireless router. I want to be able to have guests accept an agreement and have some monitoring and/or logging capability (MAC addresses or even site history).

Can I keep an access log using just the router, or would I also need a server. I would like to just be able to check the log just periodically using my laptop.

Sorry, we are kind of behind on the wireless internet additions and my boss is still kind of "iffy" on the idea of wireless internet. I'm trying to persuade him to "catch up". Thanks for any answers.

4 replies

by nicknielsen

The design is theirs, the equipment is theirs, the agreement is theirs, you get the wireless in the hotel.

Check and see if a local provider can help you out. http://wireless.theispguide.com/findcitystate.asp

If you want to do it yourself, I'd suggest a private network in the hotel, with a central router, dispersed access points, and a separate NAT/DHCP/Web server. The web server would simply provide a method for providing guests with the on-line agreement. You would be able to set your own agreement, maintain access logs, etc.

by sdrucker

A very cost-effective solution is Mikrotik.
A Mikrotik Router-OS based PC (or SBC - single board computer) can handle hundreds of hotspot users for less than $500 typically. It will take a little bit of a learning curve, but this will deliver a very flexible solution (pay/not pay, click "i agree page" or whatever) and its very scalable, allowing you to keep "hot spares" in the event of a hardware failure.

You can add multiple routers, multiple subnets, etc as your network usage grows. You can also log as little or as much detail as you want.

Also, there are many Mikrotik certified consultants/trainers who can help you get started. My favorite is Butch Evans (www.butchevans.com)

Hope this helps.

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