Wifi Hotspot setup

Hi, I want to set up a secured public wifi hotspot in my coffee cafe. I think once I configure a wireless router with "always on" option I can just turn on the router and I am good to go. How do I set up the authentication page or the splash page as user tries to access wifi? The problem is I can not keep any laptop or desktop(but I do have my Android tab) in my shop so how do/can I authenticate the user without any computer?. Is software like wiwiz of any relevance to my case?
Any guidance will be appreciated?

Thanks.

Do you want to offer this for FREE?

CoovaAP | Coova :: Open Source Captive Portal Access Controller and RADIUS Software

I am just gonna start so yes it will be free for the time being depending on the response I am getting.
By the way, I was searching more about this and I found out that CoovaAP along with RADIUS (I really don't know what I am saying) can be used to set up hotspot. Please correct me if I am wrong and point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

If you're going to offer it for free, the easiest thing to do is simply setup the wireless encryption (WPA2-Personl) and share the key.

The authentication is a bit elaborate, but it has its purposes.

Thanks for posting the link Mark.

Sorry Mark, I didn't notice the link that you provided. Actually, when I was searching for more information for the type of setup that I want, I came across this software but I don't really know whether this system can be used without any kind of computer(after configuring the router using PC).
Can you help me?

Thanks

Yes, this is the easiest thing. But then, I would need to keep changing the key everyday, or may be few times in a day to protect it from unwanted use. That's why I want to have a system using which I can create a key upon request by a visitor. Is that possible using coova?
Thanks

Coova AP runs in the router. You replace the stock router firmware with Coova AP firmware. Easier than installing Windows.

Coova AP on a router runs by itself, no support PC required

The computer in the router is essentially a 1994 computer. it does not have the speed to handle more than a dozen or so RADIUS clients and AP duties

Thanks Mark. Since no support computer is required, how can I monitor the logged in users or authenticate/verify the user for that matter? Can I generate user/pass? If yes, can I use my smartphone with wifi capability to generate them using web based administration?

I think it is sufficient for me.

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We use a PC with 3 network cards and a free linux os called Untangle (Google it). Untangle itself is free but has may paid upgrades you can purchase. We then have the following connected to the network cards;

NIC 1 is for internet in from DSL or Cable Modem
NIC 2 is out our LAN switch (For any computers that you hard wire in or want to keep separate from your clients)
NIC 3 is out to our guest wifi access point. (example Cisco/Linksys WAP200 or Airlink AP671 you name it).

NIC 3 is on a DMZ (Google if not sure what that means). The DMZ has it's own subnet and is an open wireless network isolated from any of our LAN machines or clients.

Users get a webportal page when they first connect. We can set lease time, we can throttle bandwidth, Qos, time of day restrictions etc.

Not the simplest but feature rich. This is what I would setup if I needed the features you are discussing.

It takes no administration once setup. It can be accessed via a web interface when need be.

The cheapest solution for you would be a wireless router with a WPA/WPA2 wireless key you change periodically and give to your clients upon request. Every wireless router/access point I have seen gives a list of current leases so you can see how many clients are or have been recently connected. This option will not isolate any personal machines you have from being accessed if not fire-walled so an access point/wireless router with "Guest Wireless" is recommended if this is required.

Hi,
consider "tick" of T&C , advertising page or similar. See wifiredirect site for that.
Just a thought, it manages my restaurant easily...

Wi-fi social networking is definitely an intimidating matter. speedily and simply. You might simply need a LinkSys WRT54GL or perhaps compatible Wi-Fi router with a particular firmware. When anyone link your own router for an current internet connection, your own Hotspot can be all set pertaining to utilize! You don't need almost any laptop or computer or perhaps employees pertaining to operations.