Create a Hotspot

NYCwireless Hotspots are called SuperNodes. Setting up an NYCwireless SuperNode is easy, and uses free, open-source software.

If you need professional installation or are interested in creating an outdoor SuperNode, please contact us and we can help you with your project.

If you are looking for old information related to Pebble Linux, you can read our Pebble Linux page or our SuperNode on Pebble Linux page. These pages are available for historical purposes only.

To set up a SuperNode for your home or business, just follow the step-by-step instructions below. You must have a Linksys WRT-54G/GS/GL that’s supported by Coova

Download latest firmware. Beta 7 is the latest and greatest.

Go to System>Firmware Update, choose the firmware file, and click “Upgrade”.

After waiting a few minutes, go to http://192.168.1.1 and set the password.

Go to Network>LAN and set the IP address to “192.168.89.1″

Go to Network>DHCP and ensure that DHCP is enabled on the internal network.

Go to Network>WAN and configure the external IP address (most likely this should be DHCP).

Go to Network>Wireless and set the ESSID to “www.nycwireless.net” and channel to “Auto”.

Click on “Config Changes Pending” and then “Apply Changes”.

Go to HotSpot>Configuration and set the HotSpot Type to “WiFiDog UAM” and HotSpot Mode to “LAN & Wireless”.

Click “install now” under WiFiDog Configurations (your hotspot must be connected to the internet at this point).

Click “Continue” and enter the Auth Server information below and click “Add”:

Gateway ID: your vlan0 MAC address without the colons (ex: 0014BF3F4EE5)
Hostname: auth.nycwireless.net
Proto: https
Port: 443
Path: /

You will have to add the following text to the file /etc/wifidog.conf

FirewallRuleSet global {
    FirewallRule allow to 208.70.90.95/32
    FirewallRule allow to 168.100.176.138/32
    FirewallRule allow udp to 69.90.89.192/27
    FirewallRule allow udp to 69.90.85.0/27
    FirewallRule allow tcp port 80 to 69.90.89.205
}

FirewallRuleSet known-users {
    FirewallRule allow to 0.0.0.0/0
}

FirewallRuleSet unknown-users {
    FirewallRule allow udp port 53
    FirewallRule allow tcp port 53
    FirewallRule allow udp port 67
    FirewallRule allow tcp port 67
    FirewallRule allow to 208.70.90.95/32
    FirewallRule allow to 168.100.176.138/32
}

FirewallRuleSet locked-users {
    FirewallRule block to 0.0.0.0/0
}

FirewallRuleSet validating-users {
    FirewallRule block tcp port 25
    FirewallRule allow to 0.0.0.0/0
}

Click on “Config Changes Pending” and then “Apply Changes”.

Go to HotSpot>Status to ensure that Wifidog is running. Click “start wifidog”.

Test hotspot by going to any website. You should see an authentication page on auth.nycwireless.net.