VSG-1000 Vantage Service Gateway

Chapter 1

Getting to Know Your VSG

This chapter introduces the features and applications of the VSG.

1.1Introducing the VSG

The VSG (Vantage Service Gateway) allows Internet service providers and property managers to provide broadband Internet access to end users (or subscribers). The VSG is ideal in office or hotspot environments.

Hotspots are public areas, such as airports, hotels, coffee shops, where end users can access the Internet at any time.

1.2Features

Your VSG provides the following features to accommodate subscribers with a variety of network configurations with little or no technical support.

Plug-and-Play Internet Access

The VSG provides plug-and-play Internet connectivity so subscribers can access the Internet without configuring their computers. In addition, with transparent proxy, the VSG resolves any incompatible proxy settings.

Port Forwarding

Use this feature to forward incoming service requests to a server on your local network.

DHCP Support

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) allows the individual computers (DHCP clients) to obtain TCP/IP configuration at start-up from a centralized DHCP server. The VSG has built-in DHCP server capability. It can assign IP addresses, an IP default gateway and DNS servers to DHCP clients. The VSG can also act as a surrogate DHCP server (DHCP Relay) where it relays IP address assignment from the actual real DHCP server to the DHCP clients.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) Client

The VSG allows you to maintain a central subscriber database on a remote RADIUS server. Subscriber accounting and authentication is then done through the remote RADIUS server.

CAS (Central Authentication Service)

The Hilton Group Corporation developed the High Speed Internet Access (HSIA) service to provide Internet access service across its entire Hilton Group hotels. In order to use the HSIA, hotel guest(s) must be authenticated through the proprietary CAS. The CAS performs both user authentication and accounting.

Local Subscriber Database

The VSG allows you to maintain a subscriber database on the VSG without setting up an external RADIUS server. Subscriber accounting and authentication are done using the local subscriber database.

Accounting

Accounting can be done using an external RADIUS server or the built-in accounting feature.

Local Content and Advertising Links

Once connected to the network, the VSG directs the subscriber to a specified web site and display advertisement links. This can be a source of extra online advertising revenues and increased business exposure.

Access control (Walled Garden)

With the walled garden feature, subscribers are able to access predetermined web sites without logging in. The VSG blocks full Internet access until the subscribers log in.

Getting to Know Your VSG

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