Setting Up Free WiFi - Best Way?

[Galant]

Hi Guys, my boss has asked me to look into setting up free WiFi for customers (we run a bowling alley). We already have an office network running 2mb/512kbps over a Belkin Wireless G router
(802.11g, b, and 802.3(u)).

I've taken a look around and had the suggestion to setup a second network for public use to isolate that from the office network (for obvious security reasons).

Any suggestions on the best setup for this?

It'll be my first time setting up something for public use.

Thanks.

[mycarsavw]

I'd create a new network using a cheap basic wireless router that'll take Tomato or DD-WRT and then play around with all the filters/restrictions that are inbuilt or widely available online.

Google things like "Hotspot System" to get an idea of what can be done and then see if the above custom firmwares have any scripts that'll do it for free. Most do.

Better still, subscribe to OpenDNS and turn up the filters to max to stop anything questionable being accessed.

edit: and lock up your machines properly - maybe a new switch on a different subnet to stop any access

[burble]

I'd be getting a separate internet connection for the free WiFi to use. Even with captive portals and stuff I wouldn't want all and sundry to have potential access to the office stuff.

[watercooled]

Something like pfSense with a separate subnet for the WLAN would be another option to consider.

[Jay]

I have setup free wifi for the staff at work, we use pfSense and squid to block content we don't want users to be able to view. Pretty simple stuff once you know how its done.

If you need a hand let me know.

[Medoway]

Worth reading if you are setting up public wi-fi:

http://arstechnica.com/security/guid...ss-hotspot.ars

PS. (Use a separate network)++

[oolon]

One thing not to overlook is to make sure your ISP is ok with what you are doing. Most ADSL provides require you to not have public access. Personal/Company use only.

[Funkstar]

I'd look into some of the "hotspot in a box" solutions. There are a couple, and they've been spoken about on here a couple of times. Especially if you want to limit it to actual customers, you can have it so the system gives each customer a unique code that grants them access for a certain amount of time. This would normally be so you can charge them for the access, but you could do it without charging.

[GoNz0]

if you don't want the hassle of it all i have installed quite a few hotspots in burger kings, not affiliated with the company at all as it was a small roll out contract specific to BK thats ended now.

http://www.free-hotspot.com/index.ph...mid=61&lang=en