SMB router recommendations for a bar

[timbo343]

I have a friend that owns 2 bars (next to each other) and they are wanting to provide wifi to customers. They are doing it in one bar at the moment and after a visit to the bars today i was very concerned for the setup. A flat network, office PCs and CCTV on 192.168.1.x along with wifi customers! Luckily the tills are on 192.168.100.x but i'd like to put in a router that allows guest wifi away from the network but unsure which router is right for this. One of the bars is only allowed less the 80 persons in at one time. I've spent the last 4 hours trying to get the HG633 router to port forward the CCTV and it won't have it!!! Even accessing remote management doesn't work when the option is ticked!!!

 

In one bar they are using the white technicolor router provided by TT Business and in the other they are using the Huawie HG633 - this is a pathetic attempt at a router - again offered by talktalk.

 

I thought about putting forward 2 Unifi APs that will connect to the router as they will be able to manage the Unifi APs in the other bar too.

 

I'd like the ability to only allow certain ports via the firewall, client isolation and the ability to only give guest clients a certain amount of bandwidth meaning card payments would have priority.

 

I understand they could go the whole hog but for a bar, i think this could be over kill.

 

Would appreciate all recommendations on this.

 

Thanks

[MatthewL]

PFsense, use current router as a modem as such, create separate VLAN's then use Unifi AP on separate VLAN and then you can potentially put some filtering on to restrict the naughty stuff.

[nicholab]

I am in the process of moving a way from pfsense due to issues on hardware startup. Pfsense is great but you need good hardware to get the best out of it. Might be a hardware getting hardware solution like unifi edge router or one of the mikrotik.

[XiJ]

We use a mikrotik router for this. And unifi.

[timbo343]

After sleeping on the thoughts, i was thinking about maybe a:

-TPLink AC1900 Archer D9

-TPLink AR900 and AR900 V2

 

I think it would be better to have a router that provided the ADSL connection and firewall. TPLink offer the ability to rate limit guest connections with their guest WIFI option which i think is what i'm after.

 

The little Technicolor router is nearly there as it has the ability to give a few IP ranges out. Yesterday i was in 2 minds to have all the bar owned equipment on a 10 range (10.0.0.x) configured as static IPs and the wifi guests on the 192.168.1.x range which would be provided with a DHCP address.

 

I'm a bit wary on the routers can do as we use the Smoothwall for everything at our place - that would be ideal however a bit over priced.

 

My friend said he would like to introduce wifi properly into both businesses as the second bar (the cocktail bar) doesn't have this option at the moment. I'm wondering if the TPLink range would be able to offer the guest wifi out via additional (other) APs. Both bars wouldn't need many. The first bar would need maybe 2, one at each end of the bar and the cocktail bar would possibly need 3.

 

There are flats above the bars so keeping the flat owners out would be advantageous too.

[jmak]

What about a Draytek Vigor 2860 or above?

http://www.draytek.co.uk/products/business/vigor-2860

 

They have built in ADSL and VDSL modems and support VLANs, VPNs firewall configuration. If you buy their wireless APs, it'll manage guest access. I turned the wireless off and use Unifi for wireless at home.

[IrritableTech]

I use Ubiquiti unifi access points and an Edgerouter lite which would achieve what you want. Seems rock solid and will happily allow the vlans you want and routing in between them (if needed).

You could look at the Ubiquiti USG and a cloud key which would give you the option to manage the whole network remotely too. Troy Hunt did a sponsored video on a similar setup in a restaurant which might give you some ideas.

[timbo343]

Ah ha! I forgot about the draytek.

[timbo343]

I'm liking the idea of a Draytek 2860ac with the unifi APs. I wonder if this would work?

[Norphy]

I’m sure it would but I don’t much see the point I getting an AC Draytek router then using Unifi access points?

[timbo343]

The AC router might be enough for the bar rather than the cocktail bar. They've been using the technicolor router at the moment and said it's 'okay' not great.

There's another issue i have at the moment, getting the cctv through the s**ty HG633 that talktalk provide. My god, its a crap router! Even with remote management enabled, the external IP doesnt let me in.

[JackCPickup]

Get an EdgeRouter Lite. Best price/performance/reliability available

[timbo343]

Get an EdgeRouter Lite. Best price/performance/reliability available

 

I would but it would be better if the they did an ADSL/VDSL version as the space each bar has is minimal so having everything in one device is a better option.