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[HelenMitchell]

So

I have a customer with a BT Business Hub, I think that these routers have N draft on them, I was about to replace it with a Netgear N draft but now can't see the point in that if they both have the same capability. 

However... What i do want to be able to do is extend the range.  So what can I use?? I think that these hubs from BT have a special hotspot function enabled, if I was however to attach a Netgear access point onto this would that allow access to the hotspot portal still?? I am not sure.  I can't use another netgear router as a range extender I don't think... I'm really not sure what to do in this instance.  I hate hardware questions.  :-(

[waltergmw]

Hi HelenMitchell,

You might try going back to good old copper into Home hubs:-

http://www.netgear.co.uk/home_powerline_adapters.php

They also have a section of wireless extender kits.

Kind rgeards,
Walter

[Ammit]

I think i neglected to say that this is a hotel.  Anymore ideas?? I don't think the powerline adapters are gonna cut it here (although they rock for my ps3).

PS - same person different username.

[kitz]

>> What i do want to be able to do is extend the range.

A wireless repeater is the usual suggestion

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/Shop/ShopSearch.asp?CategoryID=259

Theres also such things as dedicated Wifi Signal Boosters

http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=32&FamID=72&ProdID=187

>> I think that these hubs from BT have a special hotspot function enabled,

I'm not certain about that - so hopefully someone else can comment.

[orainsear]

I have a customer with a BT Business Hub, I think that these routers have N draft on them

As far as I am aware, and unless something has changed recently, BT Business Hubs have only 802.11g functionality at best.  The BT Home Hub was upgraded to 802.11n last year.

[Ammit]

Well if that is the case then I can replace his home hub with a netgear - BUT the only thing I don't want to get rid of is the hotspot enabled thing if that is what they have, i'm actually struggling quite a bit to come up with some ideas for wifi hotel solutions.  I don't want to just put WPA encryption on there because for tons of guests having that password it's just not viable is it?? Headache.  Help.

[kitz]

It may be best to find out if they do offer the hotspot for sure and what type.

These hotspots are part of BT Openzone and are either provided by customers of BTBroadband who are willing to share their bandwidth.. or they alternatively signup specifically as a Openzone partner. UAIU.. either way they generate business by selling vouchers and get some sort of revenue from Openzone.

If they are generating income from this... then  these type of questions should be directed at Openzone.
Theres a few different ways in which they could be providing the hotspot which is perhaps what you need to find out

http://www.btopenzone.com/partner-zone/offer-wi-fi/index.jsp

[orainsear]

Another couple of things to consider:

Not everyone has hardware capable of receiving wireless n, and although wireless g/b will be transmitted alongside the wireless n it may not have a good enough range.

How many connections would be served?  I've seen some routers fall over when they've been under too much strain.

Also, depending on bandwidth and number of users, it may be prudent to think about some sort of Quality of Service (QoS) implementation which would help to control bandwidth allocation between users.

[Ammit]

Thanks everyone for your responses.  This subject really is a ? to me.  I just don't know what the best way of setting up wifi for hotels is without specialist equipment, i really don't like going with N draft routers and stringing them together with CAT5e to act as booster points.  I don't think it holds security very well at all.