what's needed for WiFi in a pub?

singist · 3 Jun 2008 at 21:36

As the title: A friend is taking over a pub and micro brewery but has asked me what he would need to provide a good WiFi service in the pub and how to secure it: as I don't have a clue, I thought that I'd ask you guys so,.....

How big a broadband would be required ? or what do you recommend?
How to let customers use it without the neighbouring student accommodation getting in on the act ?

Thanks for any ideas.

R.O.S.S.I · 3 Jun 2008 at 21:38

For just web browsing you wouldn't need a huge connection, just set up encryption on the network and have the key changed everyday I suppose?

AndyOcUK · 3 Jun 2008 at 21:41

I'd recommend a Netgear Rangemax router - wider range and stronger signal:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...ps RangeMax NEXT Wireless ADSL2+ Modem/Router

mynsa · 4 Jun 2008 at 07:40

singist said:
How big a broadband would be required ? or what do you recommend?
How to let customers use it without the neighbouring student accommodation getting in on the act ?

a standard connection will do fine, you might want to look into QoS so you prioritise port 80 and 443 etc, you also might want to look into blocking access out on all ports 1024+ as this will prevent the p2pers etc from saturating your link.

apart from using wpa and just giving the customers the password, i cant think of any other way.

Sp00n · 4 Jun 2008 at 08:12

A router and a couple of WAP's depending on the size/thickness of walls.

sparkey196 · 4 Jun 2008 at 08:36

I can see a few reasons why you might also need some heavy content filtering.

a) To protect yourself.
b) To protect other customers who might be offended by what users are viewing
b) To preserve bandwidth.

Rhys · 4 Jun 2008 at 12:17

If I were you Id only allow BBC website to be viewed.

Alcohol -> Websites = trouble.

sidethink · 4 Jun 2008 at 12:52

Just by a BT Openzone connection kit and put that in there - absolves you of all responsibility for misuse of the system.

TheVoice · 4 Jun 2008 at 13:52

Rhys said:
If I were you Id only allow BBC website to be viewed.

Alcohol -> Websites = trouble.

How many people are actually going to take laptops in, get drunk, then browse dodgy sites? Can't see it happening.

Kyle009 · 4 Jun 2008 at 14:55

Perfect for pub quiz cheats on their iPhones

paradigm · 4 Jun 2008 at 15:01

Kyle009 said:
Perfect for pub quiz cheats on their iPhones

Or indeed on their other brand of smartphone that isn't cack.

Infact wait, I could just use HSDPA at 4.6mbps if there wasn't any WiFi, because I didn't fall into the trap of the cruddy iPhone \o/

singist · 5 Jun 2008 at 15:08

Thanks for the info guys; much appreciated.

box · 5 Jun 2008 at 16:32

You wouldn't use any encryption for a hotspot as that would defeat the point. I think access is MAC-based depending obviously on whether you've paid or not. Although I'm not entirely sure.

The best thing would be to contact someone like The Cloud (http://www.thecloud.net). They may be able to give you advice on setting up the network and may also be willing to provide hardware.

Failing that, either pick up a BT Homehub (has some sort of hotspot feature), or a router such as the WRT54GL which, with custom firmware, will give you a variety of options for creating your hotspot, separating it from your home network, and gaining revenue.