HotspotWRT Firmware: How to Turn Your Router into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

•   Important note:

  This solution requires a Hotspot Operator Account at HotSpotSystem.com. You can create an Operator Account here. If you would like to see what features you will be able to use with our solutions, click here. If you already have an Operator Account, then read on...
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Resources for Setting Up Your Hotspot with HotspotWRT Firmware:

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

HotspotWRT firmware image:

• LinkSys WRT54GL (for upgrading the original Linksys firmware or to upgrade from DD-WRT)

• RAW Broadcom TRX Image (for upgrading CoovaAP or other OpenWRT firmware)

• Firmware Versions for other routers (Please read the info file first to see what version you need. Also you can check whether your router is supported here, status has to say "Supported")

 

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, read the info file first.

1. Download the firmware and save it to your computer (use the links above).

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.

6. Browse to the firmware image 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.

7. Wait aprx. 30 sec, during that time the router will reboot. The DMZ light will come on during start-up. When the light goes out, you are ready to configure the Firmware. If not, try rebooting the router with a power cycle. Now open http://192.168.1.1 .

If you see this then it means that you have successfully replaced the firmware on your router:

Once in the new interface, you will be prompted to set your administration (admin and root) password. Do this now and and remember the password!

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

1. Click on "HotSpot" and choose "HotSpotSystem.com Setup" (automatically selected). Make sure you can see "Link is up. HotSpot installation is possible". If you don't see this message, it means that the router is not connected to the internet or the IP 192.168.1.1 is in use by other routers on your network.

• 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 Network > LAN and 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 renew/release DHCP on your computer because the router will have a different IP address. If you don't know how to do this, just REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER and connect to the router again.
  
  B. If your router is connected directly to your adsl modem instead of an internal network (another router) then you have to go to Network > WAN and choose PPPoE and you have to fill out your ADSL username and password.
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2. Fill out your Operator UserName which you have registered previously at HotSpotSystem.com and your Location Number. If you have 1 location only, type "1" into the location# field and press "Save Changes". You can find the location number if you log in to the Control Center, click on Manage > Locations (Loc. ID field).

Optionally, you can change the subnet of the router's internal IP if you want to use an other IP than 192.168.20.1. Also, if you are installing more routers within the same location, you can set the router number in the WDS subrouter field.

After you filled out the required parameters and pressed "Save Changes", the router will now configure itself. You have to wait aprx. 4 minutes. After starting the installation you should see something similar:

After the router configured itself you can check the Cisco System led on the front left side of the router:

YELLOW: Internet connection and Hotspot is working correctly.

WHITE: Internet connection is working, but Hotspot is not running.

NO LIGHT: Router is not connected to the internet (Hotspot is down).

If you see the yellow light, then try to connect to your router wirelessly, you should be redirected to your Hotspot Start page.

NOTE: the router is doing self-diagnostics continually so the color of the led may change from time to time depending on your current network status. This is a unique feature of our firmware so if you are using an other firmware this will not work.

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 read our Knowledgebase or contact Help Desk.