Question : What is a technically sound solution for a hotel network which needs wireless access in rooms?

I have a client (a hotel) which has some 25 rooms and currently has a wireless solutions for the guests. There are various wireless access points in the building (either Cisco or Linksys units) which are connected to Dell 16 port 10/100/1000 switches, then to an Actiontec GT701 router.  Basically, a large home network for a hotel.  DHCP services are provided by the Actiontec router.

There are many problems with the network, mostly with the lack of consitent performance for clients.  DHCP services are terribly slow so most clients report issues when they only need to wait 30 seconds (which is indeed a long time).  At least once per day during high use times, the Actiontec becomes completely unresponsive to login requests.

Last, the network is unsecure as many users in this hotel just cannot grasp entering an access key.  This leads to everyone in the surrounding area gaining access to the network and, in my opinion, abusing it.

Thus, I'm hoping someone can tell me the 'parts' they are using in a similar configuration so I can start determining the best course of action for cleaning up the mess that I've inherited.

Many thanks to any and all who are willing to throw me a life vest. :-)

Answer : What is a technically sound solution for a hotel network which needs wireless access in rooms?

How I have seen it done and have done:

Ive grown to love DemarcTech equipment. Take a look at them at www.demarctech.com. I would suggest their RWA series, impliment hotspots with these AP's which have this function built in. These are also routers, and you can replace your actiontec with one of these. These units can also do mesh for those dead spots that do not have a wired connection available.

From a wireless apect you must do some site surveying, to make sure you do not have colliding AP's on simalar channels, if possible turn the power down on the AP's to limit their areas served, this will increase your stability AND limit access from outside somewhat.

For security, I would steer clear of the WPA or any other encyption method. The guests do not need wireless security, they just need access, the hotel is what wants the security and there are MANY ways to go about this. I suggest using the above formentioned hotspot method. This is can be done via radius. Im sure you have some sort of servers or 'always on' computers there in the hotel. Make their username be the room number and the password should be auto generated. This is how I do it, I have created a webpage on a local computer/server that is a SIMPLE one page. Your front desk clerk asks the newley checking in guest if they will be using wireless during their stay, if yes accesses the webpage, selects the room number and their duration of stay, clicks submit. It returns a printable page (or in one case they just right it on their receipt) with their room number, duration, and random password. The ,for example, asp page puts the info into the radius txt file. Now when the guests turns on their laptop, the ap's are broadcasting their ESSID so no configuration is necessary, the RWA hotspot redirects their traffic to a webpage where they input their username and pass as given by the front desk. They are allowed access until the duration expires.

Sounds like alot, but radius is free and so is creating that quick webpage, and its rather straight forward and very stable. The DHCP problem will fix its self when you have good equipment in there and have done some sight surveys to find your weak spots.

Good Luck!