Plan a web interface for guest internet access with limited bandwidth.
Plan a web interface for guest internet access with limited bandwidth.
Hi. My aunt owns a motel and asked for my advice on setting up internet access for her guest rooms. She wants to avoid just connecting multiple routers in hotspot mode, which she thinks would be simple but isn't ideal. I have some experience with computers and run a small computer support service. I need to understand how to manage login accounts and limit usage. I’m looking for open-source, free solutions that can be installed on a limited budget. The main goal is to assign data limits per login—like using the room number as a login identifier, setting a daily password, and allocating around 800MB per user. This project is in rural Western Australia, so reliability matters. I’m hoping someone here can help me with this. Thanks! Shaun
I’m not very comfortable with this setup, but if I had to dig in, I’d begin by exploring PPOE... how to configure a ppoe server. This would mean each guest needs a username and password to log in and stay connected online. The room number could serve as the login credential, which can be reset whenever someone receives a new room. Regarding limits, it’s unclear how you’d enforce them—there might be scripts involved. A strict daily data cap would feel harsh... you could visit a Facebook page and download several megabytes. That page is likely around 500 KB in size with logos, avatars, signatures, banners, and ads. Ideally, set up a transparent proxy to cache frequently accessed content and reduce bandwidth usage. The simplest approach might be linking each room to a network switch and configuring ports to 10mbps, effectively capping speeds at that level. While 1080p videos won’t play smoothly, 720p would work. You could also implement traffic shaping—such as giving unlimited speed for the first few seconds or a small data chunk, then limiting it to 3–4 Mbps—which still lets people view 720p content.
Examine the unifi framework. A guest portal can be configured for users to access, with a smooth process in place.
For a secure link to the PMS, ensuring the guest network connects only to verified rooms prevents unauthorized internet access. I’m not aware of any free or open-source solutions. Among leading providers, Nomadix stands out, though other companies exist. You might ask your PMS vendor about guest internet options that integrate with your system. In budget hotels and motels, access is usually managed via codes (daily changes) or vouchers (one-time use). For this setup, I suggest Unifi or PFSense. PFSense is the top free open-source choice, with access control handled by APs and the firewall/gateway.