Q.
I am working in a restaurant and we got our own 10mbps speed internet connection. The high speed purposely for our servers and credit card phone line. We recently decided to open wireless up to customers who visit us. However, other neighbor stores keep stealing our connection and it lag our servers connection. Even though we WEP our wireless connection, because we are restaurant, we have to give out the password to customers for them to use our free wifi connection. My concern is it is just about time until when our neighbor stores will know the password and steal our connection again. Additional information: our employees also use this connection and it is SLOOOOWW~ Plus, we only get 1-2 bars (our of 5) of signal when we are upfront while the router locate in the offic in the back. (Around 20~40 ft away with around 6-7 walls/2-3 rooms) The first day I created a WEP, speed is at 4-5mbs (tested with http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/) but after 2 months it drop down to 1-2mbps. Sometime even below 1mbps. So I want two network access on one service line.

Here is what I have done:
1. Set up the password WEP. No, I do not want to reset the password everyday~
2. I’ve create a password so outsiders cannot access our router information. But I feel this is not safe enough when more than 20 new strangers know our WEP daily.

This is what I want to know (or do):
1. Create 2 access on one service line. Might need 2 routers (?)
2. Increase the range to the connection. Router modifications are welcome but please with CLEARLY step-to-step or video demonstration.
3. Limit bandwidth for “guest” (around 20% of max speed) and Max “Private” bandwidth

What I want to accomplish from this?
1. I want to create one connection for guests so they can surf internet during their visit. I don’t care if our neighbor steal our connection as long as we still have our MAIN connection for personal and server usage.
2. Limited usage for guest
3. Increase range (and speed if possible) for our guest and personal usages (modifications are welcome)

A.
The simplest solution would be to use a a primary wireless router (for your server and employee use, full speed), and a secondary wireless access point for customer use.

From your internet providers equipment, you would connect the primary router. This would be an encrypted wireless for use by employees, and provide the wired connection for the rest of your network.

You would then run an ethernet cable from the primary router to the wireless access point. The router can be set up with QOS, to limit the available bandwidth to the wireless access point. Only a few quality routers are available that can do this with stock firmware.

My suggestion would be a Linksys WRT610N for the primary router, and install the DD-WRT firmware (available at DD-WRT’s Website). The DD-WRT firmware will allow you to tailor the QOS and speeds available to connected devices. Then install a wireless access point (centrally located) close to where your customers will be. The D-Link – DWL-G730AP will work well, and has built in routing, which is important as you will need to make the “open” wireless access separate from your primary network (for security purposes).

If this all sounds a little complicated – it’s because it is. You’re best bet is to buy the hardware separately, then have a network technician set it up for you. It shouldn’t cost more than 2 hours labor to have it done, and you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your internal network won’t be compromised by your customers.