Sputnik Agent Firmware
Sputnik Agent™ firmware runs on Sputnik-Powered access points such as the Sputnik 720, the Linksys WRT54GL, and a growing number of third-party devices, enabling them to work with SputnikNet for centralized management.
Sputnik Agent Levels
Sputnik Agent firmware, a free download, is available in three levels:
- Sputnik Agent NMS (network management only—incurs no licensing or subscription fees)
- Sputnik Agent Standard (for entry-level APs)
- Sputnik Agent Pro (for carrier-class APs and Gateways)
| | Sputnik Agent NMS | Sputnik Agent Standard | Sputnik Agent Pro |
| Supported Devices |
| | All | All except Sputnik 720 | Sputnik 720 |
| Features |
| Device Management |  | | |
| User Authentication (AAA) | | | |
| Concurrent authenticated users | N/A | Up to 30* | Up to 100* |
| SputnikNet Subscription Prices (one annual subscription) |
| SputnikNet Express | Free | Free | Free |
| SputnikNet | Free | $199.50 | $499.50 |
*Estimate. End-user experience varies based on Internet bandwidth available and device performance.
†Purchase at least one standard Sputnik Control Center license, then add one or more Sputnik Agent NMS licenses at no cost.
Getting Started
- Download AP firmware containing the Sputnik Agent.
- Use the AP’s built-in web management console to perform a flash upgrade, selecting the Sputnik Agent as the firmware.
- Set the AP to point to your Sputnik Control Center server or SputnikNet Account by entering its name in Sputnik Instant Setup.
- Manage the AP as you would any Sputnik-Powered access point: track usage, set network policy, define captive portal, redirect page and walled garden, link to billing systems. This tutorial shows how.
Please note: reflashing your access point may violate the manufacturer’s warrantee and, while unlikely, may render the unit inoperable. Reflashing an AP is for experienced users only.
Sputnik Agent Features
| Small footprint |
The Sputnik Agent code fits in 150K memory, and has been successfully incorporated, along with an embedded Linux operating system, into APs with 2MB flash memory and 8MB RAM. |
| Portable |
The Sputnik Agent runs on embedded devices and Intel-based PCs running Linux. |
| Plug-n-play provisioning |
Just plug them in: Sputnik-Powered access points automatically contact your Sputnik Control Center server (via DNS lookup), obtain configuration information and are up and running in less than a minute. |
| Centralized management |
Sputnik Control Center enables administrators to configure and monitor one or many Sputnik-Powered APs from any SSL-capable web browser.
|
| Remote upgrade capability |
Sputnik Control Center can remotely upgrade Sputnik Agent firmware deployed in the field on third-party access points. |
Intelligence
at the edge |
The Sputnik-Powered APs track who is connected to the network and how much bandwidth they consume. This information is logged by, and can be analyzed with Sputnik Control Center. Administrators can tap usage statistics for capacity planning, fraud detection or integration with third-party settlement and billing systems. |
| Powerful security |
The Sputnik-Powered APs utilize a captive web portal to enforce secure, SSL-based authentication. A built-in dynamic firewall will automatically prevent guest users from accessing private networks while giving them full access to the Internet. |
| Support for branding |
Sputnik-Powered AP’s utilize a customizable captive portal page and redirect page (the page end-users view after a successful login) to meet your branding goals, or to push content to end-users. Each Sputnik-Powered AP on the network can be configured to serve unique captive portal/redirect pages. |
Intuitive end-user
experience |
End-users simply log on to Sputnik-Powered APs with a username and password. Network administrators can set automatic network timeout, and enable or disable end-users’ ability to create and manage their own accounts. |
| Ready for the future |
As Sputnik adds new management features to the Sputnik Agent, for example fine-grained network policy management, compatible access points will be flash upgradeable. |
DD-WRT Firmware Advanced Features
Sputnik Agent Standard is now included in DD-WRT firmware. Advanced DD-WRT firmware features include:
| Client Isolation |
Enables each user in a hotspot to have a private, hence "isolated" session, improving security on public Wi-Fi networks without adding complexity. |
| QoS bandwidth management |
Enables Wi-Fi providers to offer different levels of service depending upon the application or end-customer. |
| PPTP VPN server and client |
Enhanced security, both wireless and over the Internet. |
| Syslog to remote server |
Network administrators can remotely save and view logs of AP activity. |
| WDS with RSSI (signal strength) indicators |
Providers can extend their networks by connecting APs together wirelessly. |
| Site survey |
Makes it easier to setup a hotspot by enabling providers to view other proximate APs, SSIDs, signal strength, channels, etc. |
| Transmit power adjustment (0-251mW, default is 28mW, 100mW is safe) |
Enables providers to increase the power for greater coverage, decrease the power for greater density. |
Here is an overview of how to flash and set up your access point with Sputnik-Powered DD-WRT firmware. Complete DD-WRT documentation is available here.
