jove

After reading around for a few hours, (PLEASE, don't yell at me if I did not search hard enough, but I have some specific questions).

I have a restaurant that has some computers on their private network sharing a broadband connection. Their goal is to provide free wireless access to their customers and have secured wireless access for themselves to be able to access their private network for accessing files.

I have been reading about Control AP, NoCat, and the Zyxel ZyAir G-3000 and the WRT54G.

LiquidEdge's information on choice of AP's and Software (if your reading maybe we can chat, im "Poki D Clown" on AIM) has been very usefull. I am in no way new to covering a large area with WiFi, I just need some specific questions answered as I am new to setting up a properly segmented hotspot.

Let me explain the solutions that I have come up with and you guys can give me some idea's.

Solution 1:

1. 2 Access points.
2. AP 1 setup with WEP or WPA and connected directly to the private network and running on the same subnet for the private access.
3. AP 2 setup for open access connected to a pc running Control AP and on a different subnet for security.

Solution 2:

1. 2 Access points.
2. AP 1 setup with WEP or WPA and connected directly to the private network and running on the same subnet for the private access.
3. AP 2 setup with an embedded software solution such as NoCat or Control AP for public access.

Solution 3:

1. Zyxel ZyAir G-3000 utilizing it's dual AP and radio capability to have a secure zone and a public zone. Is this possible?

Solution 4:

Allthough alot pricier at a cost of $499, it does seem to be a nice solution.

1. The D-Link DSA-3100 Public/Private hotspot gateway. http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=173
2. Connected to 2 separate AP's, one for private and one for public.



I have concerns that Solution 2 will not be secure enough since it would be directly connected to the private network. Allthought I could utilize an inexpensive hardware firewall along with solution 2.


Any and all comments and help would be greatly appreciated. I have been running free WiFi at home for years.

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JOVE - The Roman name of Zeus.