Setting up Public WIFI alongside secure buisness network?

[dan1242]

Hi there, I am looking to set up a public WIFI system that will run along side (and not affect) our secure business network. Basically I have an idea in my head and would like to know if its going to work before I go ahead and buy hardware to carry it out OR maybe I can set up a WIFI network with what I already have.

Currently we have a secure wired and wireless network running from a Draytek VIGOR2820 switch to two bullets placed around our premises and also into our server. We never used to have a problem with just giving people our wifi password which wasn't very good/secure as it just ate up our IP addresses.

What I am thinking might work (please correct me if there is a better way or if this wont work at all). If I purchase a new high power wireless router and plug it in to our Draytek switch and configure it with DDWRT and use something like "HotSpotSystem" to set up a public WIFI that will run alongside the business one. My only concern is that would that still use our IP addresses or would because its going through another router use others if so how do I get it to do that?

Thanks in advance PS diagrams are always handy haha.

 

[beers]

You'd generally want something a little more advanced as far as a topology and segregation from guests. Most places will establish the guest segment on an 'outside' VLAN or interface in order to segregate that traffic and then have firewall rules to manage traffic between those zones. If you simply place another access point within your LAN for guests you will be all on the same network anyway (thereby circumventing the security you had on your 'real' ssid).

 

[Geoff]

Do you have a rough number of users you expect to be utilizing your guest network?