Hey everyone!
I sure hope I am posting this in the right place. I have a pretty large wireless network that services 60 (maybe 5 on at a time) guests. I am curious to how I could set up my own ISP. Nothing fancy, just a centralized and secure local environment for my users to log on through and then be presented with the company’s website at initial access. They do not need to be charged or anything, I just thought I would play around with it a bit. I currently use Linksys equipment, high gain antennas, and with an amped up cable connection and a DSL connection with both on separate SSID’s and on different gateways. The network shoots between a couple buildings where I have access points set as wireless repeaters. What can I do to accomplish this?
Thanks for the help,
Jason
Nice set up!
I have not set something up like this before, but off the top of my head, I would imagine it is much like a proxy server, something like Microsoft’s ISA server if using windows or any of the awesome free proxy servers such as PHProxy located at ht tp: //whitefyre.com/poxy/
You know, some people set up proxy servers and do a search and replace with ad code. What they are doing is offering the free proxy service but when the proxy sees a website with an ad on it, it replaces that ad with one of their own; in this way they can make money while providing the service and it is a hot thing right now! (Not up my alley, but I see more and more of this every day).
So, we have the proxy, now we need the intro page. The user attaches to your wireless network and the router is set to send them to your proxy. The proxy checks to see if they have accepted the terms and if not, they are given a page (as you mentioned above) which also requires they accept (or make payment, etc). Once they accept, they can then surf the web.
With a number like 30 users, I would set an application variable (stays with the server, not the user) and contained ip address of the user and their status (accepted terms or not), then as the user hits your proxy ip, a check is done that uses memory rather than a DB – memory will be much faster).
Security – I would require my users to give me their MAC address of their network card (it’s on the back) and allow only those addresses to connect to my wireless router. I would also use encryption.
Like I said, I have not done this before, but if I did, this is how I would go about it.
If you have more questions, feel free to ask. Also, I would love details on the type of equipment you are using, brand names, model numbers, etc so that someone else wanting to do this has everything they need.
Best regards,
Jim.
See….I heard something about creating a web server using one of my domains. Do you think that would work? That would resolve the issue with directing them to my home page correct? Since it is really an IP address that is translated into a domain name anyways.
I have total DNS control with my hosting and I am wondering if I were to find some way to use that to create a virtual ISP if it would work. All the common denominators are there. Maybe set the router to forward a specific port to the Web Server at initial log on? Here is the site that I got that idea from, but something seems to be missing and so I’m stumped: diywebserver.com/
They have a section on creating your own web server, but sections of it are missing so I am stuck. I think this would be a great product and could also offer some possible income. Sell access to your own ISP! I have a 9MB UP And 6 MB down cable connection and there is never a lot of users so I think I could pull this off. I am so close. Not to mention the free advertising! I built the network free for the place that I live at and the cost of maintaining is dragging me down. Gotta do something!
As for equipment…..
First I want to say to everyone, do not buy a range expander to extend your wireless network until you have talked to me. This could end up costing you a lot more and resulting in disatisfaction. I will walk anyone through setting up a Linksys WAP54G($45) into Wireless Repeater Mode which will extend your range 100 times better than a WRE54G Range Expander ($90). Believe me folks, I have lived and learned. I have done nothing but eat and sleep this network project I have been working on for a year now. Here is my set up.
Cable Modem
DSL Modem
Linksys WRT300N (not all its cracked up to be)
Linksys WRT54GL V4 (with HGA7 6db Antennas/stand)
Linksys WAP54G V2 (with HGA7 6db Antennas/stand)
Linksys WAP54G V2 (with HGA7 6db Antennas/stand)
Linksys WRE54G V2 (piece of crap)
Linksys WRE54G V2 (piece of crap)
Firmware versions change frequently, but all run the latest. If anyone needs help let me know. Most of my network has to shoot to different buildings because it is set up at a small hotel that I rent a house from. There are 4 units all in separate outdoor wings. Basically the high gain antennas and stands allow me to mount the routers and access points indoors and run the antennas outdoors. Outdoor access points are just too costly to invest in these days so I found this way the best for our budget. If you were to run this set up completely indoors…HOLY CRAP! You would have a wireless bubble for your neighborhood. I lose a lot of signal because my stuff has to run outdoors, but it works quite well.
If anyone has ideas I am totally down. I love experimenting. I also have some minor training in Cisco/Fiber from when we were preparing to set up a Gigabit Fiber Network in Baghdad (for the Army) during our second tour after we initially invaded in 2003.
I can help you set up your own web sever, that is easy – is it only the web server that you want? Perhaps you want the users to be driected to your webserver first, then allow them to surf the net? Right?
Personally, I would have an internal web server for your client, then do an external web server (consulting, sell products, services, etc).
Regards,
Jim.
That is definitely one of the things I wanted to play around with. I need more control of who is accessing the network and they need to see a home page when they connect.
I was also reading something about setting up your own ISP by using a personal web server. This way I could dedicate a specific amount of bandwith to each user and also use the second cable modem as a back up connection for if the primary goes down. People were saying that they got a T1 connection and set up a wireless network where users could subscribe for a monthly fee and utilize it as a WiFi connection. Of course it was nothing fancy, just using basic linksys home network equipment. I don’t need to charge people either, but i figured i could protect the network better if we were running our own "little ISP" I just have so many ideas and I really want to experiment. I love the challenge and it helps me relax.
Thanks for the help Jim!
Jason