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IAS/RADIUS Implementation in a Coffee Shop?
noyler asks: "I've been asked to decide on the best way for metering a 'free' wireless network at a local coffee shop. Here's the scenario: currently, local college students come to the coffee shop, grab a cup of coffee, and then spread out like it's a study hall for 6 to 10 hours at a time and use the free internet. The coffee shop loves this, but it's getting really crowded for the other customers that just come in for some coffee and have nowhere to sit. The management wants to implement a system that, upon buying a drink, grants a time-limited connection for that customer of 3 or 4 hours. If the customer wants more access, another drink will need to be purchased. The store network is a simple cable modem with wireless access point attached right now. After implementation, customers should be prompted for a username/password (which can come from his or her receipt) and then have access to the 'net. One limitation is that the customers should not have to install any third-party software to use it--no window for software corruption liability that way. The customer base is mostly Windows with an ever-growing number of Mac users as well. What are some good ideas for doing this? I've considered RADIUS, or some kind of portal software, but don't see any clear answers. Any suggestions for software to use?? The coffee shop is very low budget, so cheap hardware and free software would be best!"
Simply have the manager remind the students that the free networking is supported by thier continued purchasing. Simply changing the mindset is a whole lot better than trying to screw with a psudeo-login-tracking system. It also allows the managers to target just those that are a problem rather than inconviencing everyone.
Ugh, I just noticed the part about students sitting there for 6-10 hours. Sorry about that.
Wouldn't it be easier just to kick the students out after 3-4 hours if they don't buy another drink? Whether they use the network or not, I think the coffee shop needs to do that. A lot of restaurants already have that policy. Just have the wait staff keep track of these tables.
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Set up few bar tables for laptop users, so they have to stand up while using the wireless access. Just state clearly that chairs are reserved only for customers with beverages.
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Wow. I was thinking about a system like this a few weeks ago, and it looks like the ZyAIR does exactly what I'd want it to do. And for around $500, which is a pretty good investment for a coffee shop.
:) I'm just interested in captive portals )
(no, I don't work for ZyAIR.
-EvilMagnus
Briefly looking over the M0n0wall website, it appears to be just a firewall rather than a wireless hotspot solution. Did I miss a feature or did you fail to post all of the configuration modifications that you had to make in order to turn M0n0wall and FreeRADIUS into a captive portal?
I'm not trying to be offensive but, how is M0n0wall better than the likes of ZoneCD or NoCat Auth? I understand that 'you' found NoCat complicated as compared to M0n0wall but, is that an accurate assessment or is it simply your situation because of your preference to BSD?
The WEP key is the same for the whole wireless network, though, which means that if you change it 3 hours after one person's purchase, it might only be 5 minutes since someone else's purchase.
I've been to a few places that do this already. One doesn't actually block the (plentiful) plugs, but their official policy is battery only. Signs are posted saying so. It's OK to plug in to save and shutdown if your battery runs out. The other places simply have no plugs available.