What's the easiest way to set up a wireless network for a motel?

Question

Please provide specifics. The motel is small, 30 units. it is layed out in a L-like shape, each leg being appx. 200ft long. It is 2 levels, with brick walls. We're finally getting internet run to the motel, but they say I have to put in the router and anything else needed myself. I've heard some routers won't handle as many people as others, I'd also like to be able to accomodate the various standards (are the g, n, etc. all compatible for instance or do I need a router that will handle all of them?). I doubt all 30 rooms will ever be all be logged in at once. Please be specific in your answer, for instance, a model of router or specific names would be helpful. Thanks.

Answer 1

With the brick walls and all you will need more than one AP/router to cover it all.
There are some prebuilt "Hot Spot" controllers which are fancy routers with user authentication built in them. That would be what I would start with.
Like http://www.echotechwireless.com/AirEpoch_HGW210_E_Hotspot_Gateway_p/hgw210-e.htm
this one, or a Proxim AP2500 (you can find them on ebay) they are harder to setup but great for what you want. The real advantage to either of these is that they can isolate the wireless users from each other and from the local network so you add a level of security for the users and yourself.
(the AP2500's will actually hold two radios which can also be isolated from each other) . I would just install a good basic system for 802.11b *longer range, fully compatible with all 2.4gig (b,g,n) and not worry about the speed because its still 11mbs which is still faster than most internet connections!

These units can then be preprogrammed with usernames (like your unit numbers) and a password (like the motel name etc) That will keep your traffic limited to "authorized users".
You can actually get two of them one for each "L" and use Wireless distribution (WDS) on them so that they "talk" to each other as well as to the internet. (Only one unit has to be the controller with usernames and password the other one will simply "call" it for that information.) Either one of these units will open a "web page" which the users can enter the user information when they first logon. Once logged on the user can then use the internet! No reconfiguring for the user is needed!

You need a good antenna or antennas on each floor in the middle of the hallways and probably need at least one more access point connected to it if you want good coverage.
If it were me, I'd put two antennas on each floor and on each "wing" placed so that there were no dead spots at all. There are "hidden antennas" that look like small smoke detectors etc.

You can hire companies that know exactly what to do and save the "trail and error" method that this will take.

See some of the "commercial" gear that is used visit
http://tranzeo.com
http://defactowireless.com
http://echotechwireless.com
http://radiolabs.com

A little knowledge will make this work correctly without spending a fortune and without having poor coverage.

Answer 2

maximum routers comprise staggering setup publications. i visit recommend Linksys for this. a million) Plug your internet connection into your on the spot router. 2) Configure your router (setup instruction manual) 3) installation on the spot adapter on your laptop. 4) Configure your laptop.