Many businesses are choosing to offer their customers free wireless internet access. These "hot spots" are no longer limited to coffee shops and cafés. Now, even higher-end restaurants, salons, doctor's offices, and bars are offering internet access.
When wireless hot spots were first introduced, the typical user was someone carrying around a laptop or a PDA, but with the rise of smart phones with Wi-Fi, these networks are used by more and more people. You won't see many people carrying a clunky laptop into a fancy restaurant, a dentist appointment, or a crowded bar, but everyone brings their phone.
Security Considerations
The network onto which your guests connect should be segregated from your business network and given access only to the internet, not to your LAN. If you have a wireless network that is used internally, you will want to set up a completely separate network for guest access.
Once you have your guests connecting only to the internet, you also have to be sure that they aren't abusing the connection. Limiting speeds prevents a single user from monopolizing the connection. Limiting access to only certain common ports helps prevent malicious users and compromised laptops from using your network to send spam. Changing logins ensures that someone who visits you once can't use your connection forever. If you are sharing the same internet connection between your office and your guests (a common configuration) your office should always have priority so that operations aren't negatively affected.
If steps aren't taken and someone abuses your internet connection, it can result in suspension or termination of your internet services from your ISP.
Our Solution
We replace your existing router with a custom router and wireless access point. The router is configured to service both the business and guest networks, and give internet access to both while disallowing the networks to communicate with each other. Traffic is monitored and your office traffic always has higher priority than the guest network. Your VoIP phone systems will also have its traffic prioritized to ensure that phone calls are not interrupted.
Your guests will not have to enter any confusing encryption keys to connect to the network. Instead, when they try to access their first web page, they will be prompted for a user name and password which you will provide. After logging in, they are brought back to the page they were trying to access.
We can also allow prospective clients to access your own web site without having to log in to the network, giving them a chance to preview your products and services, look at your menu, or just find your business hours and contact information.
