Linksys easyHOTSPOT WRT54GL Installation Manual
Installation Manual
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ...............................................................................................1
1.1. Features for the easyHotspot Owner ................................................. 1
1.2. Features for the easyHotspot Customer ............................................ 2
2. Installation................................................................................................. 3
2.1. How easyHotspot Fits in Your Network .............................................3
2.2. Installation Requirements ..................................................................3
2.3. Installation Procedure ........................................................................ 5
2.4. Testing............................................................................................... 6
3. Range Extenders ......................................................................................9
AAA Server .............................................................................................10
4. Tickets .................................................................................................... 11
Author: Rob Clark
Version Date: 2006-12-16
Page 1
1. Introduction
The easyHotspot is the ideal solution for providing controlled WiFi access to
your network or the Internet. Password controlled access makes it ideal for
these applications:
•
Community wireless networks
•
Company networks
•
Temporary hotspots at seminars
•
Cafes
•
Motels/Hotels
•
Caravan parks
•
etc.
This manual details the installation of the easyHotspot into your existing
computer network.
You should have the following components in your easyHotspot kit:
•
easyHotspot unit, with power supply and Linksys manuals
•
this manual
Depending on the options purchased with the easyHotspot kit, you may have
some or none of these:
•
tickets
•
range extender equipment
1.1. Features for the easyHotspot Owner
•
Ticket Controlled Access. Your customers access your Internet
connection by using a Ticket provided by you. The ticket has a login
password. Tickets control the time online.
•
No onsite PC required. Unlike some hotspot solutions, easyHotspot
does not require that you have a PC onsite to manage the controlled
access. The only hardware you need onsite is the easyHotspot unit.
•
Wireless or Wired Access. You can provide controlled Internet
access via wireless (WiFi), and/or wired (Ethernet). Wired access
would suit an Internet Cafe with desktop PCs.
•
Usage Statistics. With an optional private AAA Server account, you
can check/download a variety of data including total data volumes,
connect times, etc.
•
Expandable. You can expand the wireless coverage range by adding
extra antennas, amplifiers, and/or Range Extenders. No matter how
large the physical network, you only need one easyHotspot device to
control all network access.
Page 2
•
Profitable. Attract more customers by offering free Internet access but only to your customers. Alternatively, you can increase your profits
by selling Internet access at any price you choose.
•
Secure. By default, customers can not access any devices on your
local area network (LAN). Customer traffic passes through the LAN to
get to the Internet, but customers can not access any LAN device.
However, ticket controlled access to your office LAN can be enabled by
using a front-panel button.
1.2. Features for the easyHotspot Customer
•
WiFi Access. Any WiFi equipped laptop can connect to the Hotspot.
[Optional: the hotspot owner can provide access via ethernet (CAT5)
cable.]
•
No special software required. The customer simply needs a computer
that has a standard WWW browser. That's it!
•
Simple login/logoff procedure.
Page 3
2. Installation
2.1. How easyHotspot Fits in Your Network
The easyHotspot sits between your existing broadband router and the
PCs/Laptops that you want to control. The easyHotspot acts like a traffic cop,
making sure only those with a valid ticket are allowed to pass.
You can extend the wireless coverage area by adding one or more Range
Extender units
2.2. Installation Requirements
The easyHotspot requires an ethernet cable connection to a local LAN. The
type of LAN is a very common one that is provided by almost all broadband
routers.
The LAN:
• must have a DHCP server that automatically provides the following
network configuration:
o IP address,
o Subnet Mask,
o DNS server address, and
o gateway (to the Internet) address.
Page 4
• must have a connection (via the gateway router) to the Internet.
• can have a firewall between the LAN and INTERNET. easyHotspot has
been tested and works with the very common Network Address
Translation (NAT) type of firewall.
The easyHotspot connects to the exiting LAN in the same way a wired PC
would connect.
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