SputnikNet
SputnikNet is a flexible, web-based management system for public Wi-Fi networks—hotspots or hotzones:
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- Plug 'n play network deployment
- Easy centralized management of all of the devices on your network
- Support for best-in-class wireless hardware
- Custom-branded captive portals
- Full control over free, sponsor-supported, and paid Wi-Fi business models
- Comprehensive monitoring and reporting tools
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 Check out this quick overview, more details on how Sputnik works, or comprehensive step-by-step examples of how to use SputnikNet.
How SputnikNet Works
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1. Sign up for a SputnikNet Account, where you manage all of the access points (APs) on your wireless network. Once provisioned, you can manage one or hundreds of APs, bill users or offer free/sponsored Wi-Fi tailored to your brand.
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2. Need APs? Purchase Sputnik-Powered APs and gateways from Sputnik's online store. Or flash your compatible hardware (from Linksys, Buffalo, Ubiquiti and others) with free Sputnik Agent firmware.
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3. Ready to deploy? Plug your Sputnik-Powered APs into broadband, and subscribe them (monthly or annually) to your SputnikNet Account. SputnikNet offers device management, captive portal authentication, pre-paid cards, RADIUS, PayPal/credit card and WorldPay billing.
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SputnikNet Levels of Service
We offer two levels of SputnikNet service:
- SputnikNet—for remote management of one or more hotspot locations, including subscriber management, usage tracking, real-time network monitoring, reporting, and a range of billing options
- SputnikNet Express—for free, branded single hotspot locations
SputnikNet Comparison Chart
| Feature |
Benefit |
SputnikNet Express |
SputnikNet |
| Local Content, Advertising |
Automatically display local information (e.g. map, weather, search) and advertising on welcome page |
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| Branding |
Control over the look and feel of captive portal (login) and welcome pages |
Large & small logos only |
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| Security and network policy |
Limit various users' access to Internet and network resources |
Block private nets only |
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| Usage tracking and reporting |
Real time tracking and reporting of bandwidth usage by end user and location |
Basic usage reports and charts |
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| Device Database |
Authenticate VoIP/Wi-Fi handsets, printers, and other devices that don’t have web browsers |
Up to 5 devices |
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| Bandwidth throttling |
Limit overall bandwidth allowed for any Sputnik-Powered device |
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| Quality of Service (QoS) Management |
Limit bandwidth available peer-to-peer (P2P) applications (also known as "bandwidth hogs") |
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| Walled garden, Redirect pages |
Control over which web pages are viewed before and after authenticating |
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| Multiple locations |
Remotely manage multiple hotspots, hotzones, wireless networks |
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| User Database |
Authenticate users and restrict access to the wireless network |
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| Guest Database |
Skip end-user registration (end-users click through a “splash” page; sessions are tracked by MAC address) |
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| Pre-Paid Database |
Use pre-paid cards or codes to limit time online or bandwidth consumed |
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| RADIUS |
Connect to a third party RADIUS server for authentication, billing, or roaming |
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| PayPal/Credit Card Billing |
Charge end-user credit cards or PayPal accounts (Normal PayPal transaction fees apply, no additional Sputnik fees) |
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| WorldPay Billing |
Charge end-user credit cards in more than 144 local currencies around the world |
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SputnikNet Pricing
SputnikNet pricing is based on the number of access points (APs) and gateways managed on your network. Pricing for APs and Gateways varies based upon which Sputnik Agent firmware they run.
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Sputnik Agent NMS |
Sputnik Agent Standard |
Sputnik Agent Pro |
| Supported APs |
All Sputnik-Powered APs |
All Sputnik-Powered APs except the Sputnik 720
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Sputnik 720 |
| Set-up Fee |
SputnikNet Account set-up fee: $49.95. |
| Monthly Fee |
Free |
$19.95 per AP |
$49.95 per AP or Gateway |
| Annual Fee |
Free |
$199.50 per AP |
$499.50 per AP or Gateway |
There is no charge to add as many APs as you want to extend your Wi-Fi signal and reach more wireless end users. In addition, you can manage these devices for free if they run Sputnik Agent NMS.
SputnikNet Starter Kits
Save 20%+ when you purchase a SputnikNet Starter Kit with: your choice of Sputnik-powered device, SputnikNet Account and Subscription.
SputnikNet Features
| No software required |
Manage your wireless network without installing or running a Sputnik Control Center server.
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| Remote AP management over the Internet |
SputnikNet enables you to manage the wireless network as a system rather than individual access points. From a secure web interface, you can remotely flash-upgrade APs in the field, modify captive portal and redirect pages, change the wireless channel and SSID. APs can be situated behind firewalls, on private LANs, or on any network with a route to the Internet. |
| Quality of Service (QoS) Management |
Bandwidth hogs using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing applications? No problem. With Sputnik QoS you can muzzle them with one click. This lets you provide legitimate users with the performance they deserve. |
| Bandwidth throttling |
If you have multiple Sputnik-Powered APs on one network, you can apportion the bandwidth appropriately using bandwidth throttling. |
| Sputnik Modules for Pre-Paid Cards and RADIUS |
SputnikNet includes the Sputnik Module for Pre-Paid Cards and the Sputnik Module for RADIUS. The Sputnik Module for Pre-Paid Cards enables you to restrict access based on pre-paid cards or codes. The Sputnik Module for RADIUS enables you to link SputnikNet to an existing RADIUS user database. |
| Sputnik Modules for WorldPay and PayPal/Credit Card Billing |
SputnikNet also includes the Sputnik Module for WorldPay and the Sputnik Module for Credit Cards/PayPal. These additional Modules allow you to bill end-users credit cards (in more than 144 local currencies) or PayPal accounts. |
| Plug-n-play provisioning |
Simply plug in Sputnik-Powered access points anywhere on the Internet, even behind firewalls. They receive configuration information from your SputnikNet Account and you’re ready to roll—without a truck roll. |
| Standard wireless clients |
Sputnik utilizes IEEE 802.11 standards for interoperability with standard wireless clients—laptops, handhelds, VoIP Wi-Fi phones. No special client software is required to use a Sputnik wireless network. |
| Branded experience |
SputnikNet enables you to create a customized captive portal that reflects the brand experience you want to create for your customers. With SputnikNet, you can also set a redirect page so that customers are sent to the web site of your choosing after they complete a successful log-in, further reinforcing your marketing goals. |
| Flexible business model |
SputnikNet is designed to flexibly support virtually any wireless business model, including free community networks, branded wireless portals and fee-based wireless networking. With SputnikNet there is no ongoing “revenue share” that eats into your profits. |
| Built-in AAA (Authentication, Authorization, Accounting) |
SputnikNet includes built-in AAA. End-users must authenticate (via username/password) before getting wireless access. Once authenticated, they are authorized to use defined network resources, and restricted from other resources, based on policy set by the network administrator. Finally, SputnikNet accounts for end-user bandwidth usage. |
| Detailed usage tracking |
SputnikNet enables you to track who is on your network and how much bandwidth they’re using. Network administrators can use real-time telemetry to diagnose problems in the field, isolate—and terminate—bandwidth hogs and generate reports for capacity planning or fraud detection. |
| Flexible reporting |
SputnikNet includes real-time telemetry and historical reporting of end-user and AP bandwidth usage in hourly, daily, weekly and monthly durations. |
| Secure web interface |
SputnikNet presents a secure, easy-to-navigate web interface, enabling you to manage your wireless network from anywhere.
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| Network security |
Sputnik supports existing network security standards such as WEP, WPA and VPN pass-through. SputnikNet provides an additional layer of security by requiring all users to log in before they access the network. Also, guest policy management enables administrators to define private networks. Users classed as “guests” can go anywhere on the Internet—but not on private networks. |
| Inexpensive to own and operate |
Starting at only $19.95 per managed access point, your network start-up costs are low. And, as you add more APs, your costs scale in line with your growing network. |
System Requirements
SputnikNet works with all JavaScript-compliant web browsers.
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