Wireless Internet Access for Motel?

Question

I am still looking for best solution for Wireless Internet Access for Motel. Describe- the motel business has one modem and one Netgear WPN824 Wireless Router and two LAN connection block. Currently the motel business four computers and possiblity fifth computer (Server) and all network together. Security is must to protect the business and customers. Business building itself is concrete except walkway which is open. Building is two storeage tall. Basic setup is Router to Firewall to Switch to Access or Modem to Server to Switch to Access Points. Many people had stated you will need Windows Server OS and other people you can do without Server. Why you would need Server PC? Is possible do with first step? What about connectivity? I am sure nobody will use all 12 Access Points at same time.
Please someone help me with right answer.???

Answer 1

Hotels, Motels, and Apartments need more than the simple "off the shelf" AP's that most home users are familiar with using.

Proxim, Motorola, Tranzeo, AirEpoch aren't normal names for home users (Motorola home but not the commercial) These companies make APs with ISOLATION which means the users have a signup screen to enter a username and password and once validated on the system are then allowed access. The nice part is that access is to an isolated connection. No other users are seen nor can the "LAN" be seen! That is the SAFE and SMART way to connect for these locations. Otherwise you end up connecting your users together (even with a seperate subnet!) or you connect users and LAN users which is what you really don't want!

I would suggest using some of these as your Access points. You really should only need one for each floor (maybe not even that many all depends on antenna placement)
Try ebay for Proxim/Orinoco AP2500's (now cheap $100 or so) these will allow TWO radios per AP with remote antennas you can easily cover a full "WING" they truly do isolate the users and allow a web based management screen to setup usernames etc. You can use Room Numbers etc for those if you like. When the user opens a browser window they see a "Login Page" once they are validated they go to their normal homepage. If you can't find 2500's use the AirEpoch hot spot gateway. It even has multiple WAN connections for you.
http://www.echotechwireless.com/AirEpoch_HGW210_E_Hotspot_Gateway_p/hgw210-e.htm


You can get good external antennas from
http://hyperlinktech.com etc

We have used these for up to 300 rooms (one 2500 for 100 users) - all can be on at the same time and you can even set bandwidth limits per room! We use "wireless backhauls" for the AP's so we don't even have to run wire to the AP itself!

You can also use any good "HOT SPOT" controller software for other systems if you want to "roll your own" Linksys even has a couple of more commercial grade business routers with built in hot spot controllers. These will keep your users and your lan safe from each other.

With these the setup is DSL---- Router--- LAN&AP the nice part is that the AP setups another FULL ISOLATED network and then isolates each wireless user! You will need plenty of DSL bandwidth 3-6megs min. We sometimes use two or three lines when we cant get one to supply enough.

There are NO SERVERS involved the AP's do it for you.

Don't try to be cheap - do it correctly you and your guests will be glad you did and the return is highly worth while.

Answer 2

You got the right idea, just a few extra's to help you out.

Your network: With out a server

Router (DHCP enabled) >Firewall(use this for just the firewall, don't use the DHCP properties if it comes with it) >Switch. You can even attach another wireless router or AP here for your guest connections keeping it seperated on a different subnet. Use an external antenna such as an omni and do a site survey for signal through out your motel so you can place it in the best possible location. Concrete on the outside is fine, it just depends on the material between the floors and walls on the interior that matter. I would use commercial gear if you want good results. I put a wireless system in last week at one of my Hotel/Motel accounts, a 3 story lodge and located the wireless router and an additional Access point on the second floor. It works great out to the perimeter rooms and on all floors. Subfloor and pandecking between the floors wasn't an issue. Since you only have 2 floors, an omni should work with maybe the wireless router at your main building and having your extended AP at your bldg 2. You can run a cable for that second AP.

The reason why you would have a server is to share resources such as file and apps for your business. Not for guests unless it's tied to a controller. I would keep the guests on a seperate subnet as mentioned above and use SSID that you change daily so only paying customers would have access to it.

I hope this helps, good luck

Answer 3

if your manager of the hotel. i would encorage you either to do a team mobile hotspot. as most motels now do. or make a comunity room. with multiple ports to hook up laptops. and charge them for entry.

Answer 4

It takes six seconds for the YahooAnswers webpage to display for me to be able to click on the [add your answer] button. does this mean my computer is slow??

Answer 5

Was curious on the answer to this as well