Hotspot Manager Version 6.0

An Example Network Setup

An example Setup for Coffee shop wireless network (included two desktop computer)

My shop has two desktop computers (IP address 192.168.1.10/11 connected by Ethernet LAN over a network hub) and wireless AP Access Point (192.168.1.119 connected to the hub).

I would like to do a Pre-paid card system for my customers to use the public computers and to use their laptop computers (wireless connect via my Wi-Fi network).

Charge is $3 per 30 minutes.

My control & billing computer is at the counter and it has two network cards

Cnet Pro200 is the network card connected to my broadband (WAN). IP 192.168.0.85ST268 is the network card connected to my network hub (LAN). IP 192.168.1.28

I make sure that both network cards are connected before installing the Hotspot Manager software.

I also use command prompt "netstat -a -n " in dos mode to check that my TCP port 80 is not in-use by any service. Because Hotspot Manager has built in web server which will need to use TCP port 80 for user login via the browser.

I also check my control computer is able to access the Internet , therefore my broadband router 192.168.0.1 (or ADSL dialup modem) is o.k.

I am now ready to install Hotspot Manager to my control (billing) computer.

Upon install of the Hotspot Manager, the program automatically detected my network cards.

Below is the information of my two network cards settings:

I selected ST268 to be my LAN network card. IP 192.168.1.28I selected CNET Pro200 to by my WAN network card. IP 192.168.0.85

Because my LAN network card IP is 192.168.1.28 , I plan to setup my two LAN public computers 192.168.1.10/11 with fixed IP Gateway = 192.168.1.28 . So they are

always connect to my LAN network card for Internet access. These LAN computers should be used for test after installation.

For my wireless network, I set my wi-fi AP to forward any Internet traffic to my LAN card IP 192.168.1.28 as gateway.

After installation. My two network cards Properties appear like this. Make sure to enable both SIP Monitor Driver on both network cards.

 

I use one of my desktop computer to test the connection. (while Hotspot Manager is started and server is running)

I opened the Internet Explorer browser on my public computer 192.168.1.10/11 (suggest to use LAN fixed IP computer for initial testing), it will automatically

direct to the Login page of Hotspot Manager.

I input the login password which I created at the Hotspot Manager program and it will show a Logout windows telling me that I am able to use the Internet now. Do not close this windows. When you want to end your session (before it expires) you may press the Logout button to logout (and the timer will stop). You may re-connect to

your session later on.

In the Logout windows, it will also show the Session time (purchased) and Remain time, and your IP address.

I opened another browser windows to surf the net!

These two functions need to be enabled to allow users to multiple accumulative login. So the timer will stop after user logout (using the Logout button).

 Add Automatic Ticket Selling – Coin operated (Optional)

The Bulk Create Password function can generate up to 300 passwords to a file. Purchase our TT-1-WA(300PW) Automatic Ticket Selling machine, you can upload the password (use the text file created by the Bulk Password Generation function) and users can insert coins e.g. $3.00 for 60minutes to buy access tickets. Detail see http://www.com2000.com.hk/tt-1-wauc.htm

Installation Procedures and Function Setting

Run the installation program to install Hotspot Manager software. (Both WAN and LAN network

cards need to be alive (connected to the network), the program will detect the networks available)

Follow the instruction to select the proper network card for LAN and WAN network cards.

Select the installation path of the program (Default is C:\siphotspot).

If you already have a printer installed, you may tick this option which will enable automatic print

out of a Login Ticket whenever a new password is generated. (you may select this function later

on in the program)

This option will auto start Hotspot Manager service when boot up the computer.

Installation will create the SIP Monitor Driver service at the two network cards. Internet Sharing

is automatically enabled in Version 6.0 . So you do not need to use any other Internet Sharing

service such as Microsoft ICS.

When Hotspot Manager is running. Its built in Web Server will use TCP port 80 to listen to user

login. So you do not need to run other web server such as the Microsoft IIS.

Enable the SIP Monitor Driver in network properties. (automatically done after installation)

NAT (Internet Sharing is automatically started)

When the Hotspot Manager program (or service) is started. Internet sharing is automatic between

the WAN and LAN service.

(there is no need to install the Windows Internet Connection Sharing service)

It is suggest ed to use a fixed IP LAN computer to test the NAT service after installation.

The Installation will automatically create an ODBC entry which connects to the “sipdb.mdb”

database file. Check in your Control Panel – Administration Tools – ODBC Data Source

Administrator – System DSN, the System DSN should contain an entry “sipdb” pointing to the

database file location (e.g. c:\siphotspot\sipdb.mdb).

The properties of database file “sipdb.mdb” should not be “Read-only” nor “Hidden”

If failed to start www service, it may be because you have another web service running on TCP

port 80 (Hotspot Manager has builtin web server so there is no need to use Microsoft IIS). Go to

Control Panel – Administration Tools – Services, and disable World Wide Web service of IIS.

DHCP Service

Hotspot Manager has builtin DHCP service. Enable it if you do not have another DHCP service in

the network.

Run SIPhotspot.exe and Start Server (Green Arrow). Then you may add new user. A pop up box

will be shown for selecting the Session Time for the user. Password is automatically generated.

Click “Ok” and a ticket will be printed from your default printer (if you have selected this option

during installation).

When a user login with a particular Password, the red icon (in the user list) will turn Green. Its IP

will be shown.

Delete User

You may delete an User at any time.

Session Time

The current version allows the following session time:

15 minutes / 30 minutes / 45 minutes / 60 minutes / 90 minutes / 120 minutes / Day Pass /

Unlimited

Day Pass – allow use for 24 hours after first login

Unlimited – allow unlimited access (suitable for house staffs, special customers)

Back up and Restore the user database

It is suggested that you regularly backup the user database every day. In case of computer failure,

you may restore the user database.

In case to prevent accidental loss of user database. You are suggested to back up database file to a

removable media such as floppy.

Bulk Password Generation

In case you would like to generate a large number of User login passwords, you may use this

function. Passwords generation will be stored in a text file (.txt). This text file can be used for

upload of Password to our Coin operated Auto Ticket Kiosk (TT-1-WA).

Number of users online and Bandwidth meter

Number of users online and Bandwidth meter (total bandwidth in use) will be shown on the menu

bar in real time.

Customize your own Login page and Welcome message

In the folder “\app\html” , you may redesign the files “howto.html” and with your own logo and

Service Charge Rate. Redesign the files login.html and logout.html must be carefully done, as it

contains programming code which should not be changed.

Purchase and Registered your Hotspot Manager software

To Register you copy of HotSpot Manager (one site license –for maximum 253 computers in your

local network), press Help, Register, copy and email to us the computer’s code. We will send you

an unlock key. Upon receive of the unlock key, put it at the installation path. Restart the program,

it will indicate that it is registered.

For purchase, you may buy the license direct by PayPal at

http://www.com2000.com.hk/Hotspot_mgr.htm or email to sales@com2000.com.hk (Payment by

PayPal is welcome !)