With the solutions from LANCOM, it is very easy for Internet providers to offer their customers a network with guest access. The provider receives all necessary network products from one source, LANCOM, and manages the networks of its clients centrally and conveniently—without a technician on site.
For the implementation, LANCOM access points are installed behind a LANCOM VPN router at the site of the provider's client (for example, a hotel, hospital or business). A separate internal network is given direct Internet access. The guest access is provided over a secure VPN tunnel to the central-site VPN gateway at the provider, who can log incoming requests on their internal servers. With the LANCOM Content Filter, the provider can also limit or block access to undesirable or illegal websites for customer guest-access accounts.
- Simple and central management and roll-out – even without a technician on site, the provider can centrally monitor and configure the networks for the customer. For more details see the chapter Basic installation of a Public Spot for simple scenarios.
- Different redirect options – network separation means that the hotspot services can be designed and implemented in various ways. For example, services offered to end customers can be limited to hotspot administration only, or they can include full-service administration, whereby all data traffic from the end customer is forwarded to the provider via a tunnel.
- Connection of proprietary AAA systems – LANCOM provides different interfaces (RADIUS, XML, FIAS) which can be combined with proprietary AAA servers. Custom authentication and login to the hotspot, as well as accounting, can be implemented specific to each provider. For more details see the chapter Alternative login methods.
- Multi-provider support – LANCOM devices are not locked into access via a specific provider. Hotspot service providers who cooperate with different providers can combine their software solutions over a variety of interfaces with the help of LANCOM devices. For more details see the chapter Alternative login methods.
- No misuse of the network – with the LANCOM Content Filter, professional, database-supported verification of websites is performed. Undesirable websites or web content can be made inaccessible to specified user groups.
- Data offloading – WLAN hotspots can provide effective relief for cellular networks by offloading data traffic to different infrastructures.
