hotspot(wi-fi)

HOTSPOTHOTSPOT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IntroductionWhat is Hotspot?HistoryUsesHow a Wi-Fi network works? Connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspotFree Hotspot ( Wi-Fi )TypesAdvantagesTech facts

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Business model Deployment scenarios Wi-Fi Architecture Wi-Fi Network Elements How a Wi-Fi Network Works Wi-Fi Configurations Applications of Wi-Fi Advantages/ Disadvantages of Wi-Fi

What is HOTSPOT(WI-FI)?a. A Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) hotspot is a wireless access

point that provides Internet access to network devices like laptop or smartphone typically in public locations like cafes, libraries,airports,hotels. Basically they're places where you can take your laptop or other mobile device and wirelessly connect to the Internet Businesses and schools are increasingly using Wi-Fi hotspots for their internal (intranet) networks.

b. Wireless Access Points:

A wireless Access Point (AP) is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a network using Wi-Fi.

History

• Public access wireless local area networks (LANs) were first proposed by Henrik in August 1993 in San Francisco

Requirements to Use Wi-Fi Hotspots:

• Computers (and other devices) connect to hotspots using a Wi-Fi network adapter. Newer laptop computers contain built-in adapters, but most other computers do not. Wi-Fi network adapters can be purchased and installed separately. Depending on the type of computer and personal preferences, USB, PC Card, Express Card, or even PCI card adapters can be used.

• Though many are free, some hotspots require a subscription or service with a particular mobile provider. if the Wi-Fi hotspot network is encrypted or hidden, you would need to get the security key from the hotspot service provider to be able to establish the network connection. Also, before allowing you to use their Internet connection, most hotspots will require you to accept their terms and conditions

Cont..

• Computers can automatically scan for hotspots within range of their wireless signal. These scans identify the network name of the hotspot allowing the computer to initiate a connection. Instead of using a computer to find hotspots, some people prefer to use a separate gadget called a Wi-Fi finder. These small devices scan for hotspot signals similarly to computers, and many provide some indication of signal strength to help pinpoint their exact location

Finding Wi-Fi Hotspots

Connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot

The process for connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot works similarly on home, business and public wireless networks. With the profile (network name and encryption settings) applied on the wireless network adapter, you initiate the connection from your computer operating system (or software that was supplied with the network adapter). Paid or restricted hotspot services will require you to log in with a user name and password the first time you access the Internet.

How a Wi-Fi network works?

Basic concept is same as Walkie talkies.

A Wi-Fi hotspot is created by installing an access point to an internet connection.

An access point acts as a base station.

When Wi-Fi enabled device encounters a hotspot the device can then connect to that network wirelessly.

A single access point can support up to 30 users and can function within a range of 100 – 150 feet indoors and up to 300 feet outdoors.

Many access points can be connected to each other via Ethernet cables to create a single large network.

Types

1. Commercial hotspots

2. Software Hotspots

3. Hotspot2.0

A. Commercial hotspot

A commercial hotspot may feature:

• A captive portal / login screen that users are redirected to for authentication and payment

• A payment option using credit card, PayPal, or other payment service

• Major airports and business hotels are more likely to charge for service. Most hotels provide free service to guests; and increasingly, small airports and airline lounges offer free service.

B. Software Hotspot

Many Wi-Fi adapters built into or easily added to consumer computers include the functionality to operate as hotspots. Manufacturers can enable this functionality through driver-level support. Modern consumer operating systems, including Windows Vista and later and Apple OS X 10.6 and later added features to support this. Third-party software vendors, offer applications to allow users to operate their own Hotspot, whether to share an existing connection or extend the range of another hotspot.

C. Hotspot 2.0

Also known as HS2 and Wi-Fi Certified Pass point, Hotspot 2.0 is a new approach to public access Wi-Fi by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The idea is for mobile devices to automatically join a Wi-Fi subscriber service whenever the user enters a Hotspot 2.0 area. The intention is to provide better bandwidth and services-on-demand to end-users, whilst also alleviating mobile carrier infrastructure of traffic overheads.

Hotspot 2.0 is based on the IEEE 802.11u standard, which is a new set of protocols to enable cellular-like roaming. If the device supports 802.11u and is subscribed to a Hotspot 2.0 service it will automatically connect and roam.

Tech Facts

From the technical perspective, there are two steps in the authentication process for encrypted access to the WLAN:

"Network Discovery and Selection" and "Authentication".

1.Network Discovery and Selection

2.Authentication

These are based on the certification program "WPA2-Enterprise" from the Wi-Fi Alliance as supported by all popular mobile end devices.

Business model

• Apart from the advantages it offers for operations and security, Hotspot 2.0 also opens up new business models: To reduce the load on the cellular network, providers are interested in setting up hotspots at strongly frequented locations with large numbers of clients. The provider concludes a roaming agreement with a venue such as a café, department store, airport, or even an enterprise. To provide a public hotspot, the venue owner receives the necessary hardware as well as a subscription fee from the provider. End customers then pay a user fee to their own (cellular network) provider for using the available hotspot.

Cont.….

Deployment scenarios

Example 1:

• Authentication using digital certificates or with username and password (without a cellular network provider)

• The authentication using digital certificates or with username and password is especially interesting for mobile clients without SIM cards. In this case, the authentication method has to be set up one time by the user or administrator.

• This involves the hotspot provider supplying either a username and password for storage on the client. After this one-time setup, login to all supported access points with Hotspot functionality is fully automated and occurs in the background, just like the method with SIM cards. This method is particularly attractive for venue owners or enterprises who only grant access to certain clients, or who do not want to have a roaming contract with a large cellular network provider.

Cont.….

Example 2:

• Authentication using a SIM card (with cellular network provider) The most convenient method to authenticate against Hotspot is to use the SIM card in an end device. The prerequisite for this is a roaming agreement between the venue owner and one or more cellular network providers. As soon as a smartphone with a suitable SIM card is within range of a Hotspot access point, it is automatically authenticated for hotspot access - without any action by the user.

APPLICATIONS

Home

Small Businesses

Large Corporations & Campuses

Health Care

Travellers

Wi-Fi Configurations

Wi-Fi is composed of three main sectors: Home (individual residences and apartment

buildings) Public (Round about 70,000 “hotspots” through out

the world) Enterprise (corporations, universities, office parks)

Wi-Fi Configurations

CONFIGURATIONS

CONFIGURATIONS

ADVANTAGES

Mobility

Easy of Installation

Good Flexibility

Cost

Reliability

Security

Roaming

Speed is high.

Cont.…

• Hot Spot Hosting:• If you host a Wi-Fi hot spot, you are giving your

customers access to high-speed wireless Internet. This gives you an edge over competitors who don't offer a hot spot, as you're providing something extra. This could attract more customers to your business and increase revenue. You also have access to a private network that you and your employees can use for personal and professional purposes. If you own a cafe or a restaurant, people are likely to become regular patrons if they know they can access the Internet there. If you run a hotel, hosting a hot spot will encourage guests to stay longer as they don't have to rush back home to check their email. It's easy to advertise the fact that you host a hot spot, as you can just put a sign in your window or submit information to a hot spot directory.

Cond….

• Using a Hot Spot:

• You can use several portable devices to access the Internet in a hot spot, including laptops and Wi-Fi phones. Most of these devices are now Wi-Fi enabled. Using your own device in a hot spot is advantageous because you have easy access to all your online accounts and bookmarks. The broadband connection in most hot spots is much faster than that of most cell phones. A hot spot is a convenient place to check your email for important updates while you're on the go. Many coffeehouses, bars and restaurants offer hot spots, meaning you can get something to eat or drink while you go online. Hot spots in bookstores allow customers to compare the prices of titles or browse book recommendations online before searching the store for the most highly recommended titles. Hot spots at airports are convenient because people can go on the Internet before getting on a long-haul flight and turning their device off for several hours. If you're staying at a hotel that has a hot spot, you can use the Internet as if you were at home without having to go to an Internet cafe

•

Cond….

• Free Hot Spots

Free hot spots are beneficial to Wi-Fi users, not only because they don't cost anything but also because users can go directly online without spending time buying vouchers or working out how much they want to spend. If you're hosting a hot spot, you can benefit from making it free to use. A free hot spot is a powerful marketing tool. If you tell customers they can use the Internet for free on your premises, you're likely to get more foot traffic. People will stay longer and buy more of your products in order to justify their stay or make it more enjoyable.

LIMITATIONS

Interference

Degradation in performance

High power consumption

Limited range

Summary and forecast

• Wi-Fi hotspots are becoming an increasingly common form of Internet access. Connecting to a hotspot requires a wireless network adapter, knowledge of the profile information of that hotspot, and sometimes a subscription to a paid service. Computers and Wi-Fi finder gadgets both are capable of scanning the nearby area for Wi-Fi hotspots, and several online services allow you find far-away hotspot locations. Whether using a home, business or public hotspot, the connection process remains essentially the same. Likewise, as with any wireless network, security issues for Wi-Fi hotspots need to be managed.

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