Sputnik-Powered Wi-Fi Devices

Sputnik provides a range of hardware designed to work with SputnikNet to enable you to build managed, access controlled Wi-Fi networks.

Available from Sputnik (pre-flashed with Sputnik Agent firmware)

Sputnik 720	Linksys WRT54GL	NexAira NexConnect	RFTechnics RFT-LINK
Ubiquiti Powerstation 2	Ubiquiti Powerstation 5

Available from Third Parties

The Sputnik Agent is built into popular open-source wireless router firmware from DD-WRT, and runs on the growing list of routers that can be reflashed with DD-WRT firmware. Please note however that Sputnik provides technical support only for the routers we sell; for all others, please check out our community Forums. Here are some popular wireless routers that run Sputnik:

ASUS WL-500G Deluxe	Buffalo WHR-HP-G54	Buffalo WHR-HP-G54DD	Buffalo WZR-RS-G54
Buffalo WBR-G54	Motorola WR850G (v2, v3)	MikroTik RouterBOARD 532	Siemens Gigaset SE505

Sputnik 720

Sputnik 720 as a gateway, or...	...with one 802.11a/b/g radio, or...	...with two 802.11a/b/g radios.

The Sputnik 720 is a compact, rugged network gateway that, with the addition of up to two optional 802.11a/b/g radios, becomes a managed wireless router. The Sputnik 720 runs Sputnik Agent Pro firmware, and is capable of authenticating a hundred or more concurrent users.

Wired and wireless network end-users can be authenticated by the Sputnik 720, as its LAN and WLAN interfaces are bridged together. When used as a network gateway, end-users connected to third-party wireless hardware (in bridge mode) are routed through the Sputnik 720 for authentication. Service providers can leave existing wired and wireless networks in place—whether Wi-Fi, WiMAX, mesh, or other frequency—routing network traffic through the Sputnik 720 for authentication, tracking, and management. (See diagram.)

As with other Sputnik-Powered devices, the Sputnik 720 is centrally managed by SputnikNet or SputnikNet Express. SputnikNet gives providers complete control over captive portals with multiple authentication methods, walled gardens, network policies, basic quality of service (QoS) management, and support for pre-paid cards, credit card or PayPal billing.

The Sputnik 720 is ideal for large new or existing networks in hotels, multi-tenant dwellings, exhibit halls, conference centers, transportation facilities, campus environments, RV parks, stadiums, retail districts, municipalities, and more. The Sputnik 720 supports industry-standard Power over Ethernet (PoE) for flexible deployment far from power outlets.

 View the Sputnik 720 data sheet.

 Save up to 20% when you purchase a SputnikNet Starter Kit with: Sputnik 720, SputnikNet Account and annual Subscription.

Sputnik 720: $279.
Optionally add up to two 802.11a/b/g radios with 2.4 GHz antennas: $50 each.*
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sputnik 720 with one 802.11a/b/g radio: $329.
Includes antenna for 802.11b/g.*
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sputnik 720 with two 802.11a/b/g radios: $379.
Includes antenna for 802.11b/g.*
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

*Note: if you want to use the Sputnik 720's 802.11a frequency (5 GHz), order standard SMA-RF antennas from Sputnik Partner Streakwave Wireless.

Sputnik-Powered Linksys WRT54GL

The Sputnik-Powered Linksys® WRT54GL is the best-selling Wi-Fi®-compliant 802.11g wireless access point/router that comes pre-flashed with Sputnik Agent firmware. That means it works out of the box with SputnikNet to let you centrally manage and authenticate users on a distributed Wi-Fi network.

Already have a Linksys WRT54GL? Download free Sputnik Agent firmware.

The Linksys Wireless-G broadband router lets you connect Wireless-G or Wireless-B devices to the network. It includes a built-in 4-port full-duplex 10/100 Switch to connect your wired-Ethernet devices. Connect four PCs directly, or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need. Finally, the Router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection, files, and other resources such as printers and hard disk storage space.

The Sputnik-Powered Linksys WRT54GL routers are part of a plug-and-play solution for centralized wireless network provisioning, management and security.

 Save up to 20% when you purchase a SputnikNet Starter Kit with: Sputnik-Powered Linksys WRT54GL, SputnikNet Account and annual Subscription.

Sputnik-Powered Linksys WRT54GL: $99.
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sputnik-Powered NexAira NexConnect 3G

The Sputnik-Powered NexAira NexConnect 3G uses 3G cellular networks or traditional DSL/cable service for backhaul. That means you can operate a managed Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere within range of cellular service—even in a moving vehicle such as a bus, train, or taxi, or ferry. Or, use the 3G connection for auto-failover in case wired broadband becomes unavailable.

Sputnik has partnered with leading cellular mobile broadband equipment provider NexAira to deliver this easy, flexible mobile hotspot solution. NexAira provides a wide selection of mobile broadband cards for the NexConnect, along with activation with your choice of wireless providers: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. (Contact NexAira for international options.)

As with other Sputnik-Powered devices, the NexConnect is centrally managed by SputnikNet or SputnikNet Express. Sputnik software gives providers complete control over captive portals with multiple authentication methods, walled gardens, network policies, basic quality of service (QoS) management, and support for pre-paid cards, credit card or PayPal billing.

The Sputnik-Powered NexConnect is ideal for custom-branded, centrally managed Wi-Fi in public transportation, trade shows, construction sites, and quick service retail—anywhere wired internet access is difficult or inconvenient. The NexConnect is also useful for applications such as security, surveillance, or video, where 3G can act as an automatic backup connection in case wired broadband becomes temporarily unavailable.

 View the NexConnect 3G data sheet.

 Save up to 20% when you purchase a SputnikNet Starter Kit with: Sputnik-Powered NexAira NexConnect 3G, SputnikNet Account and annual Subscription.

Sputnik-Powered NexAira NexConnect 3G: $179.99.
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sputnik-Powered RFT-LINK

The RFTechnics RFT-LINK is a rugged indoor/outdoor Wi-Fi®-compliant 802.11g wireless access point (AP) and router. Ideal for large Wi-Fi networks in hotels, housing complexes, transportation venues, stadiums, and retail areas, the RT-LINK includes built-in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), an integrated 14 dBi antenna, and runs the Sputnik Agent so that it works with SputnikNet.

The RT-LINK is built on the Linksys WRT54GL board running DD-WRT firmware. It can be used as an AP, for point-to-point bridging, and for point-to-multipoint bridging using WDS. The device includes a weather-protected Ethernet port and N-type RF connection for use with an optional external antenna.

The RT-LINK is designed for plug 'n play deployment into Sputnik-Powered networks, enabling centralized remote management, flexible authentication, usage tracking, and a variety of end-user billing options.

European customers should purchase directly from RFTechnics.

 Download RFT-LINK data sheet (PDF).

The Sputnik-Powered RFT-LINK: $299.
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sputnik-Powered Ubiquiti PowerStation 2 and PowerStation 5

The Ubiquiti PowerStation is a rugged indoor/outdoor Wi-Fi®-compliant 802.11 wireless access point (AP) and router. Ideal for large Wi-Fi networks in hotels, housing complexes, transportation venues, stadiums, and retail areas, the PowerStation includes built-in Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and an integrated high-gain antenna system.

The PowerStation 2 includes a 400 mW 802.11b/g radio and integrated dual-polarized 17 dBi antenna system. The PowerStation 5 includes a 400 mW 802.11a radio and integrated vertically polarized 22 dBi radio system. Both devices run the Sputnik Agent (as part of DD-WRT firmware) and work with SputnikNet out of the box.

The PowerStation architecture design was driven by the WISP community and embodies the collection of feature requests and suggestions proposed to Ubiquiti engineers from WISP operators. Every aspect of the product design from the nuts and bolts to the system and radio hardware to the antenna is 100% designed by Ubiquiti from the ground up. PowerStations allow links of over 50km (point-to-point applications only) and can provide significantly increased throughput (up to 50+Mbps TCP/IP) over comparable solutions.

In conjunction with SputnikNet, the Sputnik-powered Ubiquiti Powerstation offers plug 'n play deployment, centralized management, flexible user authentication, usage tracking, and a variety of end-user billing options.

 Download Ubiquiti PowerStation 2 data sheet (PDF).

 Download Ubiquiti PowerStation 5 data sheet (PDF).

 Save up to 20% when you purchase a SputnikNet Starter Kit with: Sputnik-Powered Ubiquiti PowerStation 2 or 5, SputnikNet Account and annual Subscription.

The Sputnik-Powered Ubiquiti PowerStation 2: $169.
Includes activated DD-WRT Professional firmware (value: approximately $29.50 per license).
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

The Sputnik-Powered Ubiquiti PowerStation 5: $179.
Includes activated DD-WRT Professional firmware (value: approximately $29.50 per license).
Sputnik-Powered access points come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Sputnik-Powered APs Feature Overview

Wi-Fi®-compliance	Sputnik-Powered access points work with all Wi-Fi-compliant 802.11g and 802.11b access cards. They require no special client, and works seamlessly with laptops, desktop computers and PDAs running Windows®, Macintosh®, Linux, Unix, Palm® and other operating systems. Sputnik-Powered access points can support up to 50 concurrent users and operate at up to 54 Mbps.
Complete AP functionality	Sputnik-Powered access points include a DHCP server, support for NAT (network address translation), and a built-in web server for individual unit administration.
Built-in four-port wired router (some models)	The Sputnik AP 160 and Sputnik-Powered Linksys WRT54GL include a four-port router for configuration flexibility. All of the AP’s wired ports can be managed by SputnikNet. This means that these access points can act as a network gateway, enabling 3rd-party access points to become part of a Sputnik-Powered network. Simply plug a 3rd-party AP into a wired port; end-users who associate with the AP are authenticated and tracked by SputnikNet.
Replaceable antenna	Sputnik-Powered APs work with standard higher-gain omni or directional antennas for long-range networks.
Plug-n-play provisioning	Just plug it in: Sputnik-Powered APs automatically contact your SputnikNet Account, obtains its configuration information, and is up and running in less than a minute.
Centralized management	SputnikNet enables administrators to configure and monitor one or many Sputnik-Powered APs from any web browser.
Remote upgrade capability	It’s easy to remotely upgrade the Sputnik Agent firmware on one or many Sputnik-Powered APs from SputnikNet.
Intelligence at the edge	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 SputnikNet. Administrators can tap usage statistics for capacity planning, fraud detection, or integration with third-party settlement and billing systems.
Powerful security	Sputnik-Powered APs utilize a captive web portal to enforce secure, SSL-based authentication. A built-in dynamic firewall automatically prevents guest users from accessing private networks while giving them full access to the Internet. Sputnik-Powered APs support WEP, WPA, 802.1X, and enable VPN pass-through.
Support for branding	Sputnik-Powered AP’s captive portal page and welcome page (the page end-users view after a successful login) can be customized to meet your branding goals, or to push content to end-users. Each AP on the network can be configured to serve unique captive portal/welcome pages.
Intuitive end-user experience	End-users simply log on to the wireless network with a username and password. Network administrators can set automatic network timeout, and enable or disable end-users’ ability to create their own accounts.
Ready for the future	Sputnik-Powered APs run Sputnik Agent firmware. As Sputnik adds new management features to the Sputnik Agent, for example fine-grained network policy management, Sputnik-Powered APs can be flash upgraded to include such new features.