Antamedia Online Manuals

Introduction

Network Setup

How Does It Work ?

Introduction

Antamedia HotSpot software should be installed on standard PC computer running Windows OS. We'll call this computer HotSpot computer.

HotSpot computer have to be a gateway for other computers in the network. With such setup we are forcing all computers in network to redirect traffic through HotSpot software which will control wether such traffic should be allowed or blocked. It's allowed if customer authenticated with username and password, and it's blocked if customer is not logged or time on account expired.

HotSpot computer need to have 2 network cards. One network card (NIC1) will accept traffic from your network and it will pass it to HotSpot software. If traffic is allowed, traffic will be redirected to second network card (NIC2) which is connected to Internet. Between NIC2 and Internet you can use routers, brigdes, modems (xDSL, ISDN, Cable...). With traffic we are assuming opening web pages or other type of communication with Internet.

HotSpot software doesn't require any specific hardware so you can use Access Points, Modems, Switch or Routers that you already own, and just configure network settings.

Network Setup

As a first step, we will share Internet connection on NIC 2. To remind you, this is a network card that connect HotSpot computer with Internet. We recommend using Windows Interent Connection Sharing (ICS) as it's easy to setup and it's free to use. Detailed steps are described here: www.antamedia.com/manuals/ics

NIC 2 is connected to the Router. IP addresses of NIC 2 and Router are at the same IP range. In our example NIC 2 IP address is 192.168.1.1 and router IP address 192.168.1.2 . Router is connected to the internet using ISDN line. Router IP address is usually provided by your ISP and for example it might be 194.190.20.128.
Of course, router is optional. You can connect HotSpot computer directly to broadband ethernet or to use dial up ISDN modem or wireless bridge. All that matters is that NIC 2 is connected to Internet.

NIC1 (connects your network with HotSpot computer) will get IP address 192.168.0.1. This is default IP that Internet Connection Sharing sets to your network card. Note that you can change this IP address to some other IP address. Subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 .

We will use Switch to connect HotSpot computer, Access Point and Wired computer to the same network.

In this network topology, Access point connects wireless laptops through the Switch and the HotSpot computer to the Internet. IP address of Access Point will be for example 192.168.0.10. Access Point has DHCP enabled so it assignes IP addresses automatically to all wireless laptop computers. Laptops will get IP address from range 192.168.0.11 to 192.168.0.50 and will have the same subnet mask as your HotSpot computer 255.255.255.0. Gateway should be 192.168.0.1 and DNS addresses are usually assigned by your ISP.

Wired computer is connected to the Internet through the Switch and the HotSpot computer. IP address of Wired computer is 192.168.0.21 and have the same subnet mask as your HotSpot computer 255.255.255.0. Gateway should be 192.168.0.1 and DNS addresses are usually assigned by your ISP.

Few wireless laptops, access point, switch that connects wireless and wired computer,
computer running HotSpot software which is connected on Internet using router and ISDN line

 

How Does It Work ?

Once your laptop customers step in your Access Point WiFi range, they will be able to scan the network and discover your Access Point. After they connect, Access Point will assign them IP and DNS settings automatically using DHCP. Please note that you need to enable free connection to Access Point without encryption or other limitations. If you have multiple Access Points you should specify different IP range that DHCP assigns to wireless users.

At this point, customer is connected to your WiFI and is able to type some URL in browser. Antamedia HotSpot will check this IP / MAC and since customer is not authenticated, it will return login page to customer browser. Username and password is required to gain access to Internet.

If this is a new customer, he'll be able to sign up for a new account and pay with credit card. Process is completely automated and customer is able to choose username, password and pricing plan (like 1 Hour Internet time or one month unlimited access). You will not need staff to sell tickets.
Please note: Appropriate HotSpot software license with credit card payment option is required.

It's simmilar for computer connected in switch. Since this computer is already connected in network, after authentication customer will get access to Internet. In case that such computer is your back office computer which should have free access to Interent, you should specify it's MAC address in HotSpot Setup - MAC Whitelist page. After that, computer will not show login page.