How to Setup Your Own Hotspot with DD-WRT - Video Guide

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: This solution requires a Hotspot Operator Account at HotSpotSystem.com. If you would like to see what features you will be able to use with this solution, click here. You can create an Operator Account here. If you already have an Operator Account, then read on...

UPDATE 6th, August 2008: We've updated the Installation Guide. Default and recommended firmware update is DD-WRT v24 (instead of DD-WRT v23 as it is shown in the video).

Part 1: Change firmware to DD-WRT Video Guide on YouTube Part 1

Part 2: Run the Setup Command Video Guide on YouTube Part 2

HotSpotSystem.com's Channel On YouTube

Resources Used In the Video Guide

Registration link: https://www.hotspotsystem.com/en/signup/index.html

Firmware: DD-WRT v24 SP1 Nokaid Generic for WRT54GL (You should now upgrade your router with DD-WRT v24 instead of v23 as it is shown in the video)

For other DD-WRT compatible routers, visit DD-WRT's router search, type your router type there. If it's found, then download firmware (ONLY NOKAID, STANDARD or SPECIAL are compatible!). You may find other instructions as well regarding the installation of DD-WRT on your router.

WARNING! Using a wrong firmware image may brick your router so be sure to have the right version before upgrade!

If you are upgrading from HotspotWRT / CoovaAP, you need to follow the instructions here.

Installation is quick and easy. You just have to follow the steps below. Remember that you'll need a compatible router to install the new firmware (you can find a list of compatible models here).

Leave your router's installation CD in the box, you won't need it.

Be sure your computer obtains IP addresses automatically from your existing router via DHCP. Now you can proceed to STEP A.

In the first step, you'll have to replace the firmware on your new router.

Note: STEP A is suitable for those who have LinkSys WRT54GL. If you have a different router, find your solution here to replace the factory default firmware to DD-WRT, then go to STEP B to load your personal configuration file.

1. Download DD-WRT NoKaid firmware (dd-wrt.v24_nokaid_generic.bin). Download the NoKaid firmware image file here and save it to your computer.

3. Connect your PC to the switch port of your router. (do not connect it to the internet wan port, you have to connect the internet to the wan port)

4. Open a browser and type http://192.168.1.1 (login: admin, passwd: admin)

5. Go to Administration > Firmware upgrade.

5. Browse to dd-wrt.v24_nokaid_generic.bin that you previously saved to your computer, then press upgrade. UPGRADE MUST NOT BE INTERRUPTED so please don't turn off the power or press the reset button.

After 3-4 minutes "Upgrade successful" will come up. Please wait for this message it is very important. Do not go further until you can see the message.

IF YOU GET 'UPGRADE ARE FAILED' MESSAGE... Don't worry, this is because you're trying to upload a firmware which has a greater size than the size that Linksys allows. You have to flash with DD-WRT v24 SP1 Mini Generic then upgrade it AGAIN with DD-WRT v24 SP1 NoKaid Generic or DD-WRT v24 SP1 Standard Generic. To find out what's the difference between DD-WRT firmware versions, click here.

6. After the successfull firmware upgrade please reset your router by pressing the reset button for at least 5 sec. on the back of your router (little button on the back of the router). Verify whether the router is doing a reset/reboot or not. If the POWER light on the front of the router is starting to flash, then everything is OK. If nothing happens, then unplug the router, then plug in again. Wait for the router to finish the boot process (the POWER light stops flashing), then press the reset button on the back for 5 seconds. The router should do a reset now.

7. Wait aprx. 30 sec and try to open http://192.168.1.1 . If you cannot connect, then reboot your computer then try again. If you still cannot connect then visit this page.

You should see the following screen:

You must have to set a new username / password for the router's admin interface.

Now you have a new firmware in your router, now you need to load your hotspot settings.

TIP: If you have troubles with the first step, please visit our Troubleshooter to find a solution to your problem.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have a DD-WRT Professional version (for example for Ubiquity devices) then the auto command setup will not work and you will need to set the settings manually. Click here to read the instructions.

For STEP B you will need to have an internet connection through the router.

To verify this, connect to the router and try to browse the internet. If it doesn't work then go to your router's admin page again (192.168.1.1, with the username/password you have changed at the end of the first step). If it won't load unplug your network cable for 2 sec or try to reboot your router by unplugging the power cord.

Check the router's time at the upper-right corner. It has to show the current time in GMT. If you see that the time is '00:00:00' (and the current time is not midnight in GMT) it means that the router is not connected to the internet. If you're not sure what time the router has to show, you can check the GMT time here.

IF YOUR ROUTER DOESN'T GET CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET... A. If your router is connected to an internal network via another router then maybe you need to modify the IP address (as seen on the internal LAN) of the router . By default it is set to 192.168.1.1 .If both router use the same IP then the communication won't work. In this case go to Setup > BASIC Setup > IP Address and Subnet Mask > change the IP address to 192.168.20.1 (leave the rest unchanged). Important: you won't be able to connect to the router until you reboot your computer because the router will have a different IP address. B. If your router is connected directly to your adsl modem instead of an internal network (another router) then you have to go to Setup > Basic Setup and choose PPPoE and you have to fill out your ADSL username and password.

STEP B won't work if your router is not connected to the internet correctly, so do not go further until you see the current time in GMT.

If everything looks fine, then you can proceed...

1. Now you will have to run a special command on your router. This is unique for every operator and can be found in the Control Center.

Log in to the Control Center with your Operator Username and password (this is the username and password that you've choosen at the registration). Go to Manage > Locations and choose the location where you'd like to install your HotSpot. Then find the "ROUTER SETUP COMMAND" section at the bottom , click on the 'Highlight Text' button to select all the text in the text area, then copy it to the clipboard. (Press CTRL+C or APPLE+C or select the copy command from the browser's EDIT menu)

2. Go to your router's admin page again at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.20.1 if you've changed it previously.

Go to Administration > Commands. Copy your special command (that you've copied from the HotSpotSystem.com's Control Center) from the clipboard to the text box (click on the text box and press CTRL+V or APPLE+V or select the paste command from the browser's EDIT menu).

Press the 'Run Commands' button.

The router will now download your special settings from our server and will configure itself.

If you see what is on the picture above is normal. The router will configure itself and reboot. Wait about 30 seconds. You may see a "Page not found" error message in the browser, because the router may get a new IP.

IF NOTHING HAPPENS... If you get an error message or the page reloads without anything happens to the router (it is not rebooting), then... A. you installed a micro or mini version of DD-WRT which is not compatible (Solution: upgrade it to NOKAID or STANDARD (STD) version) B. there's an SPI firewall working in the parent router/computer with intrusion detection capabilities which is blocking access to our website (Solution: turn off any firewalls on your main router) C. be sure that the router gets the proper DNS server settings from the parent router via DHCP. You can set the DNS servers manually in Setup > Basic Setup.

Important: you won't be able to connect to the router until you reboot your computer because the router will have a different IP address (if you changed the IP previously you don't have to reboot).

If everything was OK, then the 'LinkSys' led on the left of your router has to show yellow light. Connect to your HotSpot wirelessly with a laptop and see what's happening. Your HotSpot startup page has to come up if you enter a web page in your browser. Also, you can check your e-mail address, the system is sending automatic e-mail to the e-mail address you have provided at the registration upon successful installation.

In case of successful upgrade the admin page of your router will be available at: http://192.168.20.1

IF YOU ARE NOT REDIRECTED TO THE START PAGE, BUT GET FREE INTERNET WHEN CONNECTED TO THE ROUTER WIRELESSLY... Check that DHCP Interface is set to "WLAN" under Services > Hotspot page. If not, then set it to "WLAN" and press "Apply". The router will now reboot. If you don't have a "WLAN" option, then your router has different interface types. You have to find out what interface is the wireless interface. Try to set an interface, then connect to the router wirelessly. Do this until you find the right interface and you can connect to the router successfully via Wi-Fi.

 

You are done. Now you can operate your router as a HotSpot and you can watch your transactions on your admin page.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO TEST YOUR HOTSPOT INSTALLATION (RECOMMENDED).

You can visit the Control Center where you can manage your HotSpot locations, view transaction's details, change prices, etc.

Click here to download the User Guide for Operators

Click here to go to the main log in screen (on the top left)

Should you have any more questions or problems, you can visit our Troubleshooting page or the DD-WRT Wiki page for help. If you still have questions, you can read our Knowledgebase or contact Customer Service.