Ideal Router for multiple (15+ connections)

GreenMint

GreenMint

GreenMint

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Hi guys, looking to set up a subsidary wireless network in the school I work in as a "Cyber Cafe" for 6th formers, so we're needing a wireless router to plug into the network for their iphones, laptops etc.. but need a good robust router that can easily handle between 15 & 40 connections without really missing a beat.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good one? Not bought one in years!

Thanks!
 
They do, bt its a 5ghz wireless network which:

A: We want to keep seperate for network machines only
B: Due to being on 5ghz and the school allowing 6th form kids to bring in their own laptops/tablets/phones for use in these areas, not all of them work on 5ghz and that would just cause more issues.

So we need to get a decent, good capacity 2.4ghz Router :)

Any suggestions?
 
Do you want to run this as a separate network entirely from the rest of the network or just give people access on 2.4GHz to the existing LAN?

Either way, you should probably look at something like a Cisco Aeronet. If you want proper separation just create a VLAN for it (and subnet, ofc), create a VLAN interface on the existing L3 infrastructure (and relevant ACLs to keep the traffic apart from the rest of the network). Use DHCP forwarding to get the DHCP traffic to your DHCP server - unless you are uber uber uber paranoid this is secure enough.

EDIT: If you plug a device in that "routes", it will most probably end up being a double-NAT scenario which is something you should try and avoid (by setting things up properly!)
 
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The idea is just to get a 2.4ghz access point to the current network, basically for internet connectivity only, with their devices only being normal standalones, rather than our network built machines, this shouldn't be a problem.

Will definately look into the VLAN options we have available, thankyou :)
 
I would only do this via a VLAN or an entirely seperate network. Where i work we use a managed wireless network. We have VLAN'd off the traffic for guests. No way would we want guest devices visable to the main network.
 
darknite said:
I would only do this via a VLAN or an entirely seperate network. Where i work we use a managed wireless network. We have VLAN'd off the traffic for guests. No way would we want guest devices visable to the main network.
Click to expand...

Well a VLAN in and of itself won't solve the security issues (and running an entirely separate LAN for this is just theatrics and a waste of money).

ACLs, dedicated VRFs etc are what you want to look at here.
 
Surely a VLAN would mask connections from one to another?

I'd suggest a Vigor 2830n with two distinct VLANs would meet your requirements.
 
It sounds like you just want to set up a hotspot in one area and don't really want to spend forever managing it.

If so just pick up something from Meraki or Aerohive, both of them have the captive portal guest wifi stuff on them, and either option is free if you sit through a one hour webcast and sound interested in buying their kit in the future.
 
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