Offering free wifi in a bar

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askelon

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Topic # 185635 30-Nov-2015 10:54

Does anyone recommend any system / setup for the offering of free wifi? I have a customer that really wants a setup for two of his bars which are next door to eachother. Just not sure whats out there and available atm. He has had a tomizone setup prior but didnt like it.

xpd

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Reply # 1437719 30-Nov-2015 11:06

Throw in some Unifi units, set rate limit on the "free' SSID so it wont get abused as such. https://www.ubnt.com/unifi/unifi-ap/

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

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askelon

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Reply # 1437728 30-Nov-2015 11:21

Was thinking I was going to go with some unifi units either way. Guess using just them with a rate limit for guests is actually a damned good idea since the staff are always complaining about using wifi (or the lack of) out in that area as well.

wasabi2k

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Reply # 1437732 30-Nov-2015 11:28

Yep - Unifi.

You could even stand up a controller "in the cloud" and give them remote admin access.

askelon

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Reply # 1437734 30-Nov-2015 11:31

Talked to my customer, they are sold on the idea. Now to check out cabling.. Ive just been informed they were thinking about a new networked till system and they had run cables already into the roof there which would make things far easier!

wasabi2k

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Reply # 1437744 30-Nov-2015 11:37

The Unifi units are PoE and come with an injector - in case you weren't aware.

I buy mine from GoWifi - http://www.gowifi.co.nz

http://www.gowifi.co.nz/ubiquiti-networks/ubiquiti-networks-unifi.html

I see the UAP-AC-Lite are now similarly priced to the original N UAP - but gowifi are all out of stock until 01/01 which is a bit stink.

Someone who knows a lot more than me will be able to tell you the difference between the light and pro versions of the APs - I believe it is single vs dual radios or something. Might make a difference if you have lots of customers using it in a small area.

wellygary

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Reply # 1437745 30-Nov-2015 11:39

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Probably best to keep the wifi access points off the regular lan supporting POS and other mission critical functions,

Run either a Vlan or get a seperate cable run for the access points...

xontech

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Reply # 1437746 30-Nov-2015 11:46

I was wondering if your customers need to be made aware of, and/or protect themselves, in regards to any liability associated with providing free wifi? I'm kind of asking for my knowledge too. Thinking of things like having some sort of filtering in place to stop the wifi from being used to view/distribute "bad stuff". Or would some sort of guest portal pop up or window having some "words" in it that needs to be accepted before getting access suffice?

xpd

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Reply # 1437751 30-Nov-2015 11:54

You can get the Unifi to have a portal page which can show the "leaglese" stuff.

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

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sbiddle

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Reply # 1437754 30-Nov-2015 11:57

You need to ensure your setup is fully isolated from the existing infrastructure which will highly likely mean deploying a new router capable of VLAN's.

They also need to be fully aware of their copyright law and decide whether they want to opt for a captive portal or WPA2 PSK - there are pros and cons to both approaches.

antoniosk

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Reply # 1437802 30-Nov-2015 13:23

sbiddle: You need to ensure your setup is fully isolated from the existing infrastructure which will highly likely mean deploying a new router capable of VLAN's.

They also need to be fully aware of their copyright law and decide whether they want to opt for a captive portal or WPA2 PSK - there are pros and cons to both approaches.

Also that you are responsible for the behaviour of the patrons and what they get up, as the owner of the connection. If they go looking at objectionable stuff.... well it's your connection and you are supplying it for use by anyone.

Double check your terms to make sure you can do this - you don't want to breach your supply terms, regardless of what you may see other people doing. You are signing a contract after all....

________

Antonios K