So I've been helping my Dad out with the timeshare resort that he runs here in Cornwall. One of the things I'm looking at is providing wifi coverage for guests. Initially, this would just be directly outside the reception area, where we have seating, parasols and are serving coffees etc. So I'm thinking I could just have a seperate analog line with an ADSL connection that didn't touch the admin network with a 802.11n access point plonked either in the window of reception or outside in a weatherproof box.

I want access to be free and so I don't see any reason why I should pay £3000 to have someone else install it, when I reckon this setup would be perfectly adequate. Anyone got any experience of this?

Yep, we've set up a few access points for hotels etc.

I'm not sure why you need a completely new analogue line, you could just bridge the connection off the old one?
Unless you're worried about the amount of data usage?

You could make access free, but still have it locked down, and you could also make it secure enough so that visitors couldn't access the 'internal' network.

Yeah, I'd rather avoid having guests share the main connection, as we only have 3meg here. Also data usage is a snag, but it's worth bearing in mind that I could bridge.
So is it possible to have it run just off a wireless AP/router without any specialised software or hardware requirements? I wanna put it in myself to avoid paying someone else. Also, so that I know what's there if it goes wrong.

Yep, it's entirely possible to have it run off a Wireless AP without anything else, it should be fairly easy to setup, especially if you've only got the one AP to setup.

Put DHCP on it and away you go, you're bound to find a couple of issues, but that's just networking for you.

My only real piece of strong advice/warning is security, it's the easiest thing to forget.

You want this.
I've installed them at loads of BMW dealers for secure guest access

that a very good suggestion

because what going to happen if one of your guests down loads and access stuff they not meant to do - and also look at your image - police raid local company after Child porn is down loaded!!!!!!

they be knocking on your door first etc

because it logs what and who been and done what you can tell the police not me gov here is the person

Mark

That was my initial thoughts. You'll need some form of protection to ensure it's not abused for that.

At the very least, you need a way of determining who are valid guests and visitors.

Peter.

Thanks guys.

Sas, is there anything cheaper that doesn't do billing? I mean who pays for wifi anymore!
Would that thing just plug into a router?

If you don't mind a little more work

Free clicky

Don't know if this help's but here I have set up several small bars with a wifi zone they just want free tinternet for customer's so just buy a router where you can fit a bigger antenae , then change the router password ,enable dhcp.Change the default Name to something logical (the bar's name) ,
and off you go .
the who downloaded what problem shouldn't be one if you have a dynamic ip adress , but I see the problem If there are rule's in the UK that I don't know about ,
here it's just a free access any one downloading would have the download on their machine and it would be their problem not mine .Again hope this help's

It's mostly legal issues with anyone who uses the connection for copyright infringement etc. Unfortunately current precedent seems to be that the account holde is responsible, no matter who downloads what.

There was a case of an old granny prosecuted for illegal porn, and having an open wireless connection was no defence.

The law over here is messed up. Many people think open access is a great idea, but here it's a crime. It's also a crime to use open-access networks without permission in triplicate. It also a crime to think about talking about certain things. In fact, I probably just broke the law...

that's why i like it here ,cause too much trouble they will nail you get on with your life it's ok .

It would probably be cheaper than that zyxel thing to set up a wireless netwrok through a cheap firewall/router/server machine.

That way you can log who accessed which sites and when. You'd have remote access to the machine for adding and removing allowed devices and sites.

I'm sure you will be able to find a free list of dodgy sites to block.

You could prob make a cheap linux setup for a couple hundred quid. Don't need a monitor, keyboard or mouse to have it running.

You mean like