Data Usage and DHCP Relay

[Guest]

Hi,

I have a couple of questions regarding Firstspot functionality:

- Can Firstspot work as a DHCP relay (i.e. have say a Cisco router functioning as the DHCP server)? Or does Firstspot have to be the DHCP server?

- Does Firstspot support MB usage based billing? The model we wish to use is based on Megabyte usage, not time.

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

1) Sorry no, FirstSpot DHCP server cannot work as DHCP relay

2) In v3, we will have bandwidth counting and quota system. So the new version should fit your requirement.
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[BOPbroadband]

Thanks very much for your reply Alan.

When is V3 expected to be released? Is there a beta available that we could evaluate in the mean time?

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

The beta should be available in September timeframe.
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[BOPbroadband]

Thanks again Alan, I'm looking forward to trying V3.

Do you have any further info at all about the specific MB Quota functionality? What is logged, etc?

Also - can FirstSpot support different DHCP assigned address ranges for different Access Points? ie. You have 10 different AP's - clients conneting through AP 1 get and address in the 10.0.1.xxx, connecting through AP 2 get 10.0.2.xxx and so on?

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

1) It is quite straightforward. FirstSpot will record the bandwidth consumed by individual user and report it in the user log. As an option, FirstSpot can implement a quota system which will disconnect the users when the bandwidth consumption reaches a certain limit.

2) FirstSpot does not aware of individual AP. Alternatively, you might want to take advantage of Scenario 3: Centralized Network Topology (see http://www.patronsoft.com/firstspot/topologies.html ). Each network segment will get its own range of IP from the FirstSpot DHCP server.
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[BOPbroadband]

Alan,

Scenario 3: Centralized Network Topology is definatly what we would be using. Is it possible to get an evaluation of the Advanced edition? We would be especially interested in evaluating the advanced edition with Bandwidth Quota.

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

The trial version contains the Advanced Edition features already (with some limitations specified in readme.rtf).

As for the bandwidth quota, you have to want for the v3. We will inform you when a beta is ready.
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[BOPbroadband]

In the current version, is data usage recorded anywhere at all?

Also, I see in the documentation that RADIUS support is planned - will that also be in V3? If not, when is RADIUS support planned for release?

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

For the current version v2, the bandwidth consumption is not recorded.

RADIUS support will be in v3 (most likely in the Advanced Edition).
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[BOPbroadband]

Alan,

Is it possible to get a copy of the proposed table structure for V3? (ie. Create Table statements like those provided in the current version documentation)

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

Sorry, we can only confirm the table structure after we are into beta cycle.
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~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[BOPbroadband]

Thanks again Alan.

We'd like to speak with PartonSoft to discuss some more of our Requirements and how Firstspot meets them. Who would be the best person to get in contact with and when would be the best time to call?

Cheers,
Dusty

[alan]

Just send a email to firstspot@patronsoft.com to discuss.
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~ Patronsoft Limited ~