Throttle Badnwidth for a public access point...
Hello,
we are using a Linksys WRT54G wireless router at a coffee shop for public internet access. We have a problem ocassionally where the customers in the shop are still connected, but can't get to the internet. Our assumption is that this is caused by one of the customers downloading large files, or using some p2p app. we assume they are sucking up all the bandwidth and none is left over for the other users in the shop to get to the internet. Obviously since it is a public hotspot, we have no control over what people do while using this AP.
So the question is: is there some type of wirless AP or wireless router that will allow us to limit each wireless user to a certain data rate. I.e no one can ever have more than 30k per second of badnwidth? This way even is somoene does come in and try to use p2p apps or download large files, they will not be able to suck up everyone else's bandwidth. The lowest cost robust solution will be the winner.
Anyone have a suggestion?
we are using a Linksys WRT54G wireless router at a coffee shop for public internet access. We have a problem ocassionally where the customers in the shop are still connected, but can't get to the internet. Our assumption is that this is caused by one of the customers downloading large files, or using some p2p app. we assume they are sucking up all the bandwidth and none is left over for the other users in the shop to get to the internet. Obviously since it is a public hotspot, we have no control over what people do while using this AP.
So the question is: is there some type of wirless AP or wireless router that will allow us to limit each wireless user to a certain data rate. I.e no one can ever have more than 30k per second of badnwidth? This way even is somoene does come in and try to use p2p apps or download large files, they will not be able to suck up everyone else's bandwidth. The lowest cost robust solution will be the winner.
Anyone have a suggestion?
A way that we've worked around it is to place an ethernet bridge in between the pipe and the AP.
http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Ethernet-Bridge-netfilter-HOWTO.html
Turning on Netem in the kernel you would be able to limit any connection to what ever value you decided. There are also settings for bursting, to allow full bandwidth for a short period of time, then taper down to a final value. Bursting helps standard pages to load quickly, while detering the downloaders.
http://swik.net/netem
Run ntop on top of that, and you'll have a very good idea where traffic is going should you want to look at it.
http://www.ntop.org/
These tools will also provide you control, should you require it.
If you were to put a DHCP server on the same machine and use the IP as a bridge instead of a router as I assume you are doing, you would have the ability to monitor and control every piece of traffic that passed through.
Utilizing different DHCP scopes, it is even possible to set up different levels of service.
http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Ethernet-Bridge-netfilter-HOWTO.html
Turning on Netem in the kernel you would be able to limit any connection to what ever value you decided. There are also settings for bursting, to allow full bandwidth for a short period of time, then taper down to a final value. Bursting helps standard pages to load quickly, while detering the downloaders.
http://swik.net/netem
Run ntop on top of that, and you'll have a very good idea where traffic is going should you want to look at it.
http://www.ntop.org/
These tools will also provide you control, should you require it.
If you were to put a DHCP server on the same machine and use the IP as a bridge instead of a router as I assume you are doing, you would have the ability to monitor and control every piece of traffic that passed through.
Utilizing different DHCP scopes, it is even possible to set up different levels of service.
set up QOS on the router.
Then you can give http traffice high priority and p2p low priority
so people browsing the web will get fast access. but just as nice, is that if only one person is in the cafe trying to downlaod a large file they will get all the bandwith.
as soon as some one tries to connect to the internet to web browse. the router running QOS will move there date infount of all the P2P data.
QOS = Quility of service. i dont think the wrt54g has QOS on it however. but the wrt54gs dose :) and its only 39 quid at PC world at the moment!!
Then you can give http traffice high priority and p2p low priority
so people browsing the web will get fast access. but just as nice, is that if only one person is in the cafe trying to downlaod a large file they will get all the bandwith.
as soon as some one tries to connect to the internet to web browse. the router running QOS will move there date infount of all the P2P data.
QOS = Quility of service. i dont think the wrt54g has QOS on it however. but the wrt54gs dose :) and its only 39 quid at PC world at the moment!!
The problem I see with straight QOS doesn't deter the large downloads. DLs over port 80 will keep on moving.
ASKER
Thanks for the responses guys!
We would prefer some type of hardware solution, as putting in a linux box on the site will cost for both setup labor and the hardware.
Is there really no hardware solution out there that will accomplish this?
We would prefer some type of hardware solution, as putting in a linux box on the site will cost for both setup labor and the hardware.
Is there really no hardware solution out there that will accomplish this?
I have a perfect solution for you.
I install and support networks for hotel rooms as one of my many job functions. We use Nomadix products. They act like a router/firewall, but also allow people with misconfigured IP settings to still get access, and also allows for you to limit the amount of bandwidth any one connection uses. Their base product even has build in WiFi. It also has a switch so you can plug in additional APs, if needed.
Here is the product you should look at:
http://www.nomadix.com/products/platforms/ag/
I install and support networks for hotel rooms as one of my many job functions. We use Nomadix products. They act like a router/firewall, but also allow people with misconfigured IP settings to still get access, and also allows for you to limit the amount of bandwidth any one connection uses. Their base product even has build in WiFi. It also has a switch so you can plug in additional APs, if needed.
Here is the product you should look at:
http://www.nomadix.com/products/platforms/ag/
Here are some interesting sites for you to look at
http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/LinksysWrt54g#head-139ad2ceb788f2536f4e4dd6b74efd16f423cc05
http://openwrt.org/
They are based around the router you have using linux and is basically hacking your exsisting router for added functionality. I have never tried this but i thought it was an interesting solution. Warning, obviously flashing the bios of your router can result in complete loss of functionality.
http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/LinksysWrt54g#head-139ad2ceb788f2536f4e4dd6b74efd16f423cc05
http://openwrt.org/
They are based around the router you have using linux and is basically hacking your exsisting router for added functionality. I have never tried this but i thought it was an interesting solution. Warning, obviously flashing the bios of your router can result in complete loss of functionality.
ASKER
The Nomadix soudns like it is the right device. Two last questions...
1. Is this thing pretty simple to configure with knowledge of networking, or do they use there own proprietary terms and vernacular?
2. Just to be clear. We can use this device to limit all the Wireless users in the coffe shop to x number of kbs per second on upload and download? i.e. no one can use more than 20kb per second. So that one user cannot hog all the badnwidfth at the site?
Thank You!
1. Is this thing pretty simple to configure with knowledge of networking, or do they use there own proprietary terms and vernacular?
2. Just to be clear. We can use this device to limit all the Wireless users in the coffe shop to x number of kbs per second on upload and download? i.e. no one can use more than 20kb per second. So that one user cannot hog all the badnwidfth at the site?
Thank You!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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Discounted on-line:
http://store.wifi-parts.com/agwihoga.html
Just make sure you get full support from Nomadix as a new product purchase when you buy from someplace like this.
http://store.wifi-parts.com/agwihoga.html
Just make sure you get full support from Nomadix as a new product purchase when you buy from someplace like this.
This is both a solution to your problems and it makes it even more secure.