PicoSpot |
...turning a Linksys into a Hotspot |
These directions assume the Linksys has the Linksys firmware of a recent version and you are already able to reach the Internet! If you are not using the default settings, it is advised that you go to Administration / Config Management and backup your current settings. Now go to Administration / Factory Defaults to reset the firmware to the factory defaults. Though, you can otherwise keep your current settings, even if running 802.1x (it will not work, though, until you install the 'nas' package - keep to the wired LAN).
Step 1: If your hardware is version 4 or earlier of the WRT54G or WRT54GS, or model WRT54GL; download the latest firmware for your router:
Step 2: Connect a computer directly wired to the LAN port of the Linksys. You should be able to use DHCP to configure your IP address. If not, set the IP address manually to 192.168.1.99 with default router of 192.168.1.1. Log into the Linksys at http://192.168.1.1/ using username "admin" and password "admin" and procedure to menu Administration / Firmware Upgrade. Select Choose File and find the firmware file you downloaded previously. When ready, click Upgrade and do not disrupt the computer or router while the firmware is loaded.
Step 3: The router will reboot and you will now have a new web based configuration interface found still at http://192.168.1.1/. If not, try rebooting the router with a power cycle. If your WAN IP is also in the 192.168.1.0 network, you might have problems - try disconnecting the WAN connection and make sure your IP address is manually set to 192.168.1.99 and you are wired to the LAN port of the router.
Step 4: In the new interface, you will be prompted to set your administration (admin and root) password. Do this now and and remember the password! When you click on any link, you will be required to authenticate.
Step 5: To ensure that you are able to replace the firmware should things go very wrong, go to System / Settings and Enable boot_wait. This will allow you to TFTP a new firmware to the router, should it be necessary. Additionally, you may want to Enable administrative access to the router from the WAN or the HotSpot controlled LAN. Save your changes!
Step 6: In the section System / Installed Software click on Update packages lists to update the package databases. Once complete, you will find a listing of available software below the listing of installed software. Proceed to install the packages you want, but make sure to include chillispot, wl, and nas. The wl utility is required for WDS support.
Step 7: Now, go to the HotSpot category using the link on the top of the page. Enter the specific configuration for your HotSpot, or to see a demo, enter the following values:
| HotSpot Type | ChilliSpot UAM | |
| HotSpot Mode | Wireless Only | |
| UAM Hostname | staging.picopoint.com | |
| UAM Secret | picopoint | |
| NAS Identifier | ppChilliSpotDemo |
Step 8: To start ChilliSpot, go to HotSpot / Status and click on start chillispot. You will now have GateKeeper authenticating sessions on the Wireless side of the router while your wired LAN is still open to the Internet. To stop HotSpot services, click stop chillispot.
Disabling the HotSpot: Go to HotSpot / Status and click stop chillispot to stop HotSpot services. To prevent it from starting on boot, go to HotSpot / Configuration and select Disabled for HotSpot Type. Click Save Changes then Apply Changes.
More screenshots:
