Installing 10-14 access points for a hotel guest service

sswats · 18 Jul 2011 at 19:29

The wiring is already installed, we'd simply be replacing a current service being provided by a contractor who also deal with the management of it but get all the money.
So there are access points in place which provide a decent signal I'd like to make it a good signal, so firstly upgrade the access points. and then provide a pay for codes system for guests.

So i'm looking for recommendation for the access points and a wireless management software/device to control them. I'm guessing just using a hotspot software to sell codes. sound about right?

-Mike- · 18 Jul 2011 at 19:46

What is your skill level with both wireless and other stuff?

Pfsense offers pretty much everything you could ask for, is free and open source. If you are using it to make money perhaps you should donate some to the dev team if they still exist.

http://www.pfsense.org/

I had it running on a p4 box, with onboard and 3com network card. Internet in one side, out the other side and the box handled all the authentication and other bits and pieces. It also features proxy software, filtering and bandwidth limitation per user in total // per user ie kb/s

If you get stuck with it give me a shout on here, will try and help you out.

sswats · 18 Jul 2011 at 20:07

Not a great programmer, so not good with open source stuff, but will give it a try. Problem is the people loading it and providing the codes are the receptionists who will be just about computer literate so maybe a more a basic GUI based software would be more suitable.

But I'll load it up and see how straightforward it is.

What do you think of these access points
Cisco Small Business Pro AP 541N Wireless Access Point

Just looking for good access point that i can mass configure.

Thanks for the info

-Mike- · 18 Jul 2011 at 20:48

Having just completed my ccna bits and pieces I'd say you'll be fine with those. They are relatively straight forward, they may support CDM and if so you can use the far friendlier GUI that cisco have.

Pfsense is about as simple as it comes mate honestly. I used it for my final project for my degree and found it a breeze. Have a go in a VM and then create another VM with windows or similar to connect to it.

#Chri5# · 18 Jul 2011 at 21:20

On the Wireless side, NetGear are running a couple of promo's now.

Part Code : WC7520SKT-100UKS

That's the 20 AP controller WC7520 and you get six of the new WNDAP360 FOC with it (normally £180+VAT each)

Part Code : WNSKT350-100UKS

Buy two of the WNDAP350 APs and you get the WMS5316 controller FOC (normally £380+VAT).

The WNDAP350 APs are tough cookies - I've had one get flooded at a hotel and, once dry, keep going.

sswats · 19 Jul 2011 at 13:41

Thanks for the recommendations. I think that ANDAP350 with WMS5316 sounds good enough. the other one is way too pricey. Don't think I'll get authorisation to purchase that.

I've just been given an additional job at a secondary site to do the exact same thing but there's no wiring in place there.

That's going to be a headache. Can you string repeaters so i wouldn't need to do any major wiring. or should I just get the wiring done to connect these access points.

If I do so I may need to use POE access points as I don't really how to run electricity cables. I think I know but I've never done it so best leave alone for a professional job.
So any recommendations on those.

#Chri5# · 19 Jul 2011 at 13:52

Repeaters would work but I'd get cables to each AP and use POE switches. Going to be much easier to support in the long-term.

Depending on how many POE ports you need, you could look at the NetGear FS726TP (24 10/100 with 12 POE) or FS728TP (24 10/100 all POE). A tried & tested configuration for a number of hotels we look after. Switches have basic web management, so you can use multiple SSIDs and VLANs to segment traffic if needed.

sswats · 19 Jul 2011 at 14:05

Cool. the 24port all POE one should do the job.

Thanks again.

If the boss doesn't want rewiring, can i string a series of WNDAP350 together working as repeaters? like 10-14 of them. I've never installed multiple repeaters. Does that work? And does it work well? understand its harder to support but as long as it works.

#Chri5# · 19 Jul 2011 at 14:10

The WNDAP350 does support WDS but I've never set them up to doit. Do you mean 10 to 14 APs working like this?

1 <> 2 <> 3 <> 4 etc?

That would be nuts. You might save money on the install but it will bite you in the ass later (IMHO).

sswats · 19 Jul 2011 at 14:14

just checked the manual and maximum is 2 hops, so no that wouldn't work.

He'll just have to suck it up and fork out I guess.

Thanks again for the help.