General FAQ

1. What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity and is used to define any of the wireless technology in the IEEE 802.11 specification - including wireless protocols 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g. The industry body called Wi-Fi Alliance is responsible for promoting Wi-Fi along with various other wireless technology standards.

2. What is the difference between the different WiFi standards?

IEEE 802.11 are standards that have been developed by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers). The IEEE is an international organization that develops standards for hundreds of electronic and electrical technologies. The most popular WiFi Standards are those defined by the 802.11b and 802.11g protocols, and are amendments to the original standard. 802.11-1997 was the first wireless networking standard, but 802.11b was the first widely accepted one, followed by 802.11g and 802.11n. Security was originally purposefully weak due to export requirements of some governments, and was later enhanced via the 802.11i amendment after governmental and legislative changes. 802.11n is a new multi-streaming modulation technique that is still under draft development, but products based on its proprietary pre-draft versions are being sold. Other standards in the family (c-f, h, j) are service amendments and extensions or corrections to previous specifications.

3. Where is WiFi generally installed?

WiFi is generally installed in Restaurants, Cafes, Airports, Hotels, Malls, RV Parks and other public locations where a Wireless Broadband Service is required. It is also installed in Offices to provide Wireless Internet Access to Employees and Clients.

4. How does WiFi work?

WiFi is a technology used to Broadcast Data over radio waves with frequency 2.4GHz. A computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna. A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection

5. Is WiFi Secure?

No network is 100% secure. So it is important that you protect your data while transmitting it over the Internet. If you need to send sensitive information then we recommend using VPN or SSL for sending and transmitting data. We don't enable WEP (Wired Equivalency Protection) on our sites since we believe that WEP is not yet practical for public access networks.

6. What is the range of WiFi signal?

The range of a home Wi-Fi LAN depends on the wireless access point (WAP) or wireless router being used. Factors that determine a particular WAP or wireless router's range are:

• the specific 802.11 protocol employed
• the overall strength of the device transmitter
• the nature of obstructions and interference in the surrounding area

Typically following are the Range for the 802.11 Protocols

• 802.11a -- ~35 m (indoor)
• 802.11b -- ~38 m (indoor)
• 802.11g -- ~100 m (indoor)
• 802.11n -- ~300 m (indoor)

7. What is needed to setup WiFi hotspot?

To setup a WiFi Hotspot one would require a broadband or DLS internet connection and a Wireless Gateway. You choice of wireless Gateway would depend on the location where the WiFi Service is provided and the no. of users that would be using the service.
You would also require a WiFi Management and Billing Solution like WiFiLAN that would help you monitor and manage your wireless devices and also authenticate and bill your users

8. How can I charge users at my WiFi hotspots?

You can use different models to charge your customers for the Wireless Broadband Service at your Hotspot. We shall help you use Prepaid Codes as well as Credit Card Billing to charge them.
We shall help you charge recurring Users and recharge their User Accounts too.

9. Can I control usage of my free hotspots? How?

Yes, you can control usage at a free hotspot. We help you generate Codes or user accounts with limit on time or usage and you can print Access Cards for distribution.

10. How can I make money using my free hotspot?

Even if you provide Free Internet access to your customers you can generate revenues through the WiFi Service via Online Advertisements. WiFiLAN has the provision for you to add Advertisements on the Captive Portal. These advertisements may be promoting the Hotspot Location itself of be advertisements from a 3rd Party Media Company.

11. Are there federal rules governing WiFi hotspots?

With the increased threat of Terrorism and Cyber Crimes , the Governing rules in many countries has made it mandatory for Wifi Service Providers or WiFi Hotspot owners to keep a track and log details regarding WiFi usage and user details at their Hotspots.
WiFiLAN helps you track these details and generate usage reports making it easy for you to conform to the federal rules related to Wifi Services in your country.

WiFiLAN FAQ

1. What is WiFiLAN?

WiFiLAN is a complete, hosted operational support system (OSS) for managing wireless hotspots and hotzones. Unlike many other OSS, WiFiLAN is designed specifically for managing wireless networks and incorporates all features necessary for reliably operating wireless networks from a central location.(From current text on the Website: http://wifi-soft.com/wifilan_professional.htm ) Some of the basic features of WifiLAN are listed below.
Features:

• Authentication
• Billing
• User Management
• Device Management
• Monitoring
• CRM
• Reporting
• Branded Portals
• Customer Self Care
• Prepaid Billing

2. What do you mean by hosted service?

Our application runs on a server in Secure Data Centers in the US that runs 24x7x52. This means you don't need to install any Software or run any servers locally to use our solution. You can manage your Wireless Network remotely even from a geographically distant location.

3. Where is WiFiLAN hosted?

WiFiLAN is hosted in a state-of-the-art, secure Data Center in the US. It has redundant backbones and is constantly monitored for security threats. We make sure it is up and running at all times. We have implemented two-server architecture in which one server acts as primary and the other one as a backup. The servers are hosted in two separate data center to ensure maximum uptime.

4. How does WiFiLAN work?

WiFiLAN is hosted in our NOC (Network Operations Center) in a secure data center.You don't need to install any Software or run any servers locally. All you need is a Compatible Gateway and a Broadband or DSL Internet Connection and you are ready to provide a Managed and Reliable WiFi Service. WiFiLAN helps you monitor and manage all your Hotspot Locations and Users remotely through you its Web Based Interface.

5. What are the browser requirements for WiFiLAN?

WiFiLAN functions perfectly on any Web browser. We recommend using IE 5 or higher and Mozilla 2.0 or higher.

6. Is my data secure in WiFiLAN?

Yes, WiFiLAN maintains your data securely. Our software runs on Linux operating system so it is relatively secure from Windows worms and viruses. Each server is secure by two firewalls - hardware and software and is constantly monitored for network attacks.

7. Can I have multiple WiFiLAN accounts?

Yes. WiFiLAN allows you to create multiple admin accounts and you can customize the access levels for each account. It lets you create strictly viewer accounts too.

8. Who is using WiFiLAN?

This solution is ideal for hotspot operators and service providers who need a complete, integrated back-office management solution that streamlines their operating procedures and reduces operational cost. The simple, intuitive web-based interface is easy to learn and makes hotspot management smooth and hassle-free.

9. Does WiFiLAN work in any Country?

Yes, WiFiLAN works in any country. You can have Captive Portals in your local language and charge your customers in one of the major currencies of the world.

10. Does WIFiLAN support multiple languages?

Not at the moment. We are working on it and shall post an update as soon as the multilingual feature is added.

11. What is the architecture of WiFiLAN?

Please click here to view the architectural details of WiFiLAN.

12. I am using another software to manage my Wireless Networks. Will you help in migrating to WiFiLAN?

Yes, our Engineers shall help you migrate from your Existing Software solution to WiFiLAN and they shall assist you by remotely configuring your gateways to Interface with WiFiLAN.

13. What hardware is supported on WiFiLAN?

WiFiLAN is compatible with wide range of hardware. Please click here to view the list of Wireless Gateways supported by WiFiLAN.

14. Can I get a demo of the application?

Yes, a free Online Demo of our solution is available. Click here for our signup form. You shall receive information regarding your Demo WiFiLAN Account via e-mail.
If you are interested in an ONLINE WALK-THROUGH of our solution, we have our Sales Representatives available at a time convenient for you. The representative will explain you various features of WiFiLAN and will guide your through the online demo. Please click here to schedule an ONLINE WALK-THROUGH.

15. Does my subscription come with product support?

Yes, our Engineers shall provide you professional and quick support related to WiFiLAN as well as hardware related issues like Recommending hardware, Flashing of Firmware and Configuration. Click here for Support Documentation for WiFiLAN.

WiFiLite FAQ

1. What is WiFiLite?

WiFiLite is designed specially to for Service Providers or Hotspot owners who manage small to medium sized networks keeping in mind their requirements. It includes the basic WiFi management and monitoring features for those who want to run their Wifi Hotspot with minimal cost overhead.
Enterprises can also use WiFiLAN-LITE for converting their unmanaged, open Wi-Fi network into a managed, secure one.

2. How is WiFiLite different from WiFiLAN?

Click here to view the Comparison Chart between WiFiLite and WiFiLAN

3. Is WiFiLite suitable for my business?

If have few Hotspot Locations or offer a free WiFi Service at your Restaurant, Hotel, Resort etc and want a basic Management and Monitoring Solution to help Manage your Networks and Users then WiFiLite will meet your requirements. It will also help you comply with any Federal Laws governing WiFi in your country or rules about Tracking WiFi usage at your Hotspot Locations.

4. Is it easy to migrate from WiFiLite to WiFiLAN (pro) in the future?

Yes, when your Networks grow and you require more than just the Basic Network Monitoring, Authentication and Management features that WiFiLite has to offer we shall help you upgrade your networks to WiFiLAN (pro) providing you fill support during the transition.

5. How does WiFiLite work?

You can Signup for a WiFiLite account through our Website. Once you have purchased a WiFi-LAN Lite account you will have access to our Setup Wizard that would help you setup your Gateways in your account, create user accounts, prepaid codes etc. Our Sales Representative shall be available via Chat to help you if you need assistance with the Setup.

6. What are optional modules in WiFiLite?

The following are the Optional Modules available with WiFiLite

• Credit Card Billing
• Network Monitoring
• Online Advertisements
• Content Filtering

7. How do I signup?

Click here to signup for a WiFiLite Account through Credit Card Payment. You shall get instant access to your WiFiLite Account.

8. Does WiFiLAN lite work in any Country?

Yes, WiFiLAN works in any Country. WiFiLite lets you customize your Captive Portals to display text in your local language and charge your customers through all currencies supported by PayPal.

9. What hardware is compatible with WiFiLite?

Please click here to view the list of Wireless Gateways Supported by WiFiLite

10. Is my data secure?

Yes, WiFiLAN maintains your data securely. Our software runs on Linux operating system so it is relatively secure from Windows worms and viruses. Each server is secure by two firewalls - hardware and software and is constantly monitored for network attacks.

11. Where is WiFiLite hosted?

WiFiLite is hosted in a state-of-the-art, secure Data Center in the US. It has redundant backbones and is constantly monitored for security threats. We make sure it is up and running at all times. We have implemented two-server architecture in which one server acts as primary and the other one as a backup. The servers are hosted in two separate data center to ensure maximum uptime.

12. Is there support available with WiFiLite?

Yes, we have our Sales Representative live on chat while you use the Setup Wizard to setup your WiFiLite Account. Our Engineers are available to help you with Gateway Configurations and WiFi related technical Issues. Click here for Support Documentation on WiFiLite.

13. I need additional coupons. How can I create or order them?

You can create Access Coupons through your WiFiLite Account. Click here for our Access Coupon Creation Guide.
In case you wanted to have Printed Coupons couriered to you, Click here to order them.

WiFiLAN-Dedicated FAQ

1. What is WiFiLAN-Dedicated?

WiFiLAN is a complete, hosted operational support system (OSS) for managing wireless hotspots and hotzones. It allows wireless operators to manage their WiFi and WiMAX networks from a central console. WiFiLAN-Dedicated is hosted on a separate pair of servers to provide unmatched flexibility, scalable and redundancy to your networks.

The servers are setup, hosted and managed by our professional team of engineers so you don't have to worry about the backend systems. The solution also offer you the flexibility to customize the software to match your operational requirements.

2. How is WiFiLAN-Dedicated different from WiFiLAN?

Both WiFiLAN and WiFiLAN-Dedicated have the same codebase but WiFiLAN-Dedicated is setup on separate, dedicated pair of servers. This allows the operators to request special changes to the source code. Additionally the servers are not shared with other providers thus allowing the provider to have complete control on the server operations.

3. How do I setup WiFiLAN-Dedicated?

Please contact us and one of our agents will contact you within 24 hours to help you get started.

4. Can I host the servers in our data center?

Yes, you can host the servers in your data center as long as you provide complete control (root-access) to WiFi-Soft engineers to setup and manage the servers.

The servers should be remotely accessible and if possible the operator should provide server management tools such as remote reboot to allow our engineers to perform regular housekeeping operations.

5. Is there additional cost to get WiFiLAN-Dedicated solution?

Yes, since we host and maintain separate servers for you, there is extra cost for WiFiLAN-Dedicated solution. We charge you the server hosting fee and our regular maintenance fee each month for operating a dedicated solution.

Wifi-soft FAQ

1. What does Wifi-soft offer?

Wifi-soft provides carrier-class operational support system (OSS) for remotely managing wireless networks. Our hosted, back-office management solution - WiFiLAN - helps hotspot operators and service providers to easily setup hotspots in any public or private venues and operate them from a single console.

2. Who uses Wifi-soft's solution?

Wifi-soft's WiFi Management and Billing Solutions cater to the needs of WiFi Service Providers, Hospitality Wifi Networks, Public Hotspots etc. Enterprises looking for a better way to manage their office networks use Wifi-soft's Solution too.

3. Where is Wifi-soft located?

Wifi-soft has its Head-quarters at Pune, India with its Sales office at Texas, USA.
Click here for addresses/directions.

4. What are some USPs of Wifi-soft?

Wifi-soft helps WiFi Service Providers and Hotspot Owners to manage multiple hotspot locations through a single management interface thus allowing them to focus on their core business. Our reliable and robust back end solution has all the features required to help you provide a professional and efficient WiFi Service. We work closely with our clients to understand their requirements and propose solutions to their problems. We customize our WiFi Solutions to meet these requirements and provide you the Back End Support you were always looking for.

5. How is Wifi-soft funded?

Wifi-soft is privately funded and is a profitable company.

6. How many hotspots are managed by Wifi-soft?

Today, Wifi-soft manages over 1,500 medium to large Wi-Fi hotspots/hotzones across the world including those in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico, India, Africa, Thailand, Philippines and more.

7. Does Wifi-sft work with resellers? How can I signup?

Yes, Wifi-soft works with resellers from all over the world. It provides all the necessary help in helping them sell a complete solution in the local markets.

Click here to learn more about our reseller program.

8. I am looking for a job. Is Wifi-soft hiring?

Click here to view our list of Current Openings.