secured wireless network for business use. unsecured network for customer use...How?

Question

i have a bar, and i have a secured wireless network that we use fo business use. id like to set up an unsecured wireless network for my customers to use. i dont want the customers to be able to get on to my secured network. i have one broadband connection coming in through a BT 2wire router. How can i set this all up? is it as simple as just plugging another router into the back? what do i do, and what do i need?

Answer 1

The easiest to do is to use a second router. Not the easiest thing to setup unless you follow a few critical issues but still the best solution.

With the 2wire it does allow a second router to be setup. The second router needs to be in the DMZ+ (which they have easy to setup)



Since the 2wire is on 192.168.1.x be sure to set the SECOND router to another network like 192.168.10.x so that it doesn't conflict. Then it will have an IP on the 2Wire and issue IP's on a different network.



Once the new router is setup (should have a STATIC IP set on the 2wire LAN like 192.168.1.10) Put the second routers IP in the DMZ on the 2wire. Thats is all that has to happen.



For 2wire support (and they do discuss a router behind a router) go to http://2wire.com



You can also get routers that use a username and log on which gives you some control. A good one for hot spots is the AirEpoch unit.

http://www.echotechwireless.com/Airepoch_802_11_b_G_2_WLAN_Hotspot_Gateway_with_PO_p/iwe3200%20-%20ggnpa.htm

It has user management built in, can even be connected to a ticket printer if you want to SELL time. Has the ability to isolate all wireless users from the wired lan!

Answer 2

Whoever gave Tracy a thumbs down... :( That answer is spot on - although one thing that is worth adding is that some routers such as the Linksys WRT54G actually have open source firmware available for them which allow use as a hotspot with management and various other features - these are significantly cheaper than the 'Off the shelf' hotspot routers (Although those AirEpochs are very well priced..) and still give you some degree of control over who and what has access to your network. A totally open system isnt a good idea at all, as you will probably find if you read your ISPs T&C they suggest that any wireless networks must be secured appropriately and that ALL network traffic is the responsibilty of the owner/billpayer of the connection - not good at all if someone decides to use your open hotspot for something illegal!!

Answer 3

When logging into your router interface, don't forget to change the Login name and the password. Continuing to use the Belkin defaults, will allow anyone with access to your network to change the configuration and/or the defaults and lock you out. The only way back in, is to reset the router to factory conditions. Then, as suggested in the many other answers given, enable WEP or WPA OR do as I do and just use the MAC filtering device available from the router interface menu. Open it and add the MAC address of your computer network card/adapter looks something like this: (04:A5:B3:C4:F8:DD) and is entered as one number without the semicolons. Hope this helps. --- Use protection, your computer will thank you.