The Steps to Test a Community WiFi Internet Installation

A community WiFi Internet service

Many rural communities around the world have no Internet service for the residents, because there is no Internet connection for the community. The introduction of satellite Internet with Starlink and other systems has made it possible to provide an Internet service for a community anywhere in the world. If needed, the system can be powered using solar panels.

The satellite antenna requires a network infrastructure so that the Internet service can be provided to community residents. The infrastructure is shown in the next diagram and the list of infrastructure items is included below.

• Guest Internet controller: this product has a list of features that include the following:
• • Share one Internet connection between many users, for example connect 100 to 150 people to a Starlink antenna.
  • Charge residents for the Internet service to pay the cost of the satellite service.
  • Prevent abuse of the service, block access to abusers.
• Outdoor long-range wireless access point.
• A tower to install the outdoors wireless access point so that it is visible for everyone.
• Receiver kits for homes up to 1Km from the central antenna with line of sight.
  

Testing the WiFi Internet installation step by step

When installing the network infrastructure for the community WiFi Internet it is important to proceed with the installation step by step, and TEST the installation after each step. If the installation is not carefully tested then most likely it will not work satisfactorily, or possible not work at all.

There are five installation stages for the network infrastructure, and tests must be made after each stage. The installation stages are shown in the next diagram, and each stage is described in subsequent sections.

Stage 1: Install and test the satellite Internet service

Install and configure the satellite antenna as specified by the manufacturer. Connect the satellite router to the antenna following the manufacturers diagram. Configure the router with the phone app as required by the manufacturer.

Connect the computer LAN port to the satellite router LAN port using an Ethernet cable. Disable the computer WiFi for this test. Open a browser and run the Internet speed test FAST.COM. Make a note of the download and upload data speeds. With the Starlink antenna the download data speed should be greater then 100Mb/s, if it is less than 100Mb/s then the satellite antenna must be relocation or installed at a higher point so that the antenna has a clear view of the sky.

NOTE: older computer Ethernet ports may be only 10/100 Mb/s and therefore cannot test the satellite speed adequately. Ensure that the computer has a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port.

The final step is to set the Starlink router into the BYPASS mode using the app in preparation to connect the Guest Internet controller, which is also a router.

If the data speed is zero then there is a configuration problem that must be diagnosed.

Stage 2: Install and test the Guest Internet controller

Connect the Guest Internet controller WAN port to the satellite router LAN port using an Ethernet cable. Connect the computer LAN port to the Guest Internet controller LAN port using an Ethernet cable. Disable the computer WiFi for this stage. Proceed with the Guest Internet setup wizard as explained in the installation guide. Verify that the Guest Internet controller has an Internet connection by observing the green network symbol.

Generate a Guest Internet controller access code as described in the installation guide. Use the access code to login to the Internet. Open a browser and run the Internet speed test FAST.COM. Make a note of the download and upload data speeds. These data speeds should be similar to the data speeds measured in stage 1. If very different then there is a problem.

If the data speed is zero then there is a configuration problem that must be diagnosed.

Stage 3: Install and test the wireless access point

The wireless access point provides the community WiFi access to the Internet service. Connect the wireless access point Ethernet cable to the Guest Internet controller LAN port. Follow the connection instructions in the Guest Internet configuration guide. 

Using the computer WiFi connect to the wireless access point. Verify that the computer browser can open the Guest Internet login screen.

Generate a Guest Internet controller access code as described in the installation guide. Use the access code to login to the Internet. Open a browser and run the Internet speed test FAST.COM. Make a note of the download and upload data speeds. If the wireless access point has a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port then the data speeds should be similar to the previous stage. If the wireless access point has a 10/100 Ethernet port then the data speeds will be limited to 100Mb/s.

If the data speed is zero then there is a configuration problem that must be diagnosed.

Stage 4: Install and test the CPE antenna in the home

The home installation can use a Guest Internet STAR-4 kit, or the installer can use any CPE backhaul and indoor wireless router. When a home is connected to the central wireless access point, the installation is made in two steps. First install the CPE (client premise equipment) wireless antenna on the roof of the building. The CPE has a directional antenna and must be pointing towards the wireless access point. There must be a clear line of sight between the CPE antenna and the central AP antenna. A tree or building will block the signal.

Connect the computer LAN port to the CPE Ethernet cable as described in the installation guide. Using the computer browser, login to the CPE. Verify that the CPE is connecting wirelessly to the central wireless access point. Verify that the computer browser can open the Guest Internet login screen.

Generate a Guest Internet controller access code as described in the installation guide. Use the access code to login to the Internet. Open a browser and run the Internet speed test FAST.COM. Make a note of the download and upload data speeds. The data speed will be less than the data speed obtained in the previous stage. The reason for this is that the data speed decreases as the distance between the CPE and the central AP antenna increases. 

If the data speed is zero then there is a configuration problem that must be diagnosed.

Stage 5: Install and test the WiFi wireless router in the home

Connect the WiFi router WAN port to the CPE Ethernet cable as described in the installation guide. Connect the computer WiFi to the WiFi router WiFi name (SSID). 

Verify that the computer browser can open the Guest Internet login screen.

Generate a Guest Internet controller access code as described in the installation guide. Use the access code to login to the Internet. Open a browser and run the Internet speed test FAST.COM. Make a note of the download and upload data speeds. The data speed will be similar to the data speed obtained in the previous stage. 

If the data speed is zero then there is a configuration problem that must be diagnosed.

Installation documentation

All Guest Internet products and kits have an installation guide that can be downloaded from our website. The product manual can be downloaded from the Guest Internet website.

When installing a Guest Internet product for the first time, carefully read all the installation documentation before proceeding with the installation. If the instructions are followed carefully then the product installation will be operational quickly.

Ignoring the instructions will result in an installation that is not functional. If a message is sent to our technical support team then we will request that you read the documentation.

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