newbie Question? wifi Gator?

[MESHMESH]

I'm new here and I'm trying to compare between wifirush and wifi Gator and I'm not able to find much informations.

thanks in advance

[velocitystar]

WiFiGator seems to have a good number of features, but WiFiRUSH has implemented the most complete & intelligently designed set of features available today in the Hotspot / authenticated network operation space.

Here is a description of what is in the box:

The Control Panel component of WiFiRUSH is a web based interface that allows Wireless HotSpot operators to manage their wireless network in a comprehensive manner.
It provides a management interface that permits Wireless HotSpot operators control and visibility into their entire wireless network. In addition to a wide set of user-management & billing related features, it also provides the ability to monitor and track usage/sales performance across multiple wireless HotSpot locations and in varying time intervals. The Control Panel acts as the command and control system of your Wireless HotSpot locations.

Here are a few fo the WiFiRUSH CPA Server Appliance's Features:

HotSpot User Management
Generate and Print Voucher Codes & User Accounts
Usage Statistics
Sales Statistics
Bandwidth Speed and Volume Limitations
MAC Authentication
Usage log
Roaming across multiple locations within your wireless network
Multiple Billing options
Accept Credit Card Payments
Accept PayPal payments
Customizable Login Portals
Direct access to the CPA Hotspot server MySQL Database
Direct access to the Hotspot server command line via SSH
Dedicated IP address
'White Box' branding options for portal customization potential
Private Open-Mesh style access point / node monitoring
PHP API Interface
Direct access to CRON Scheduler
Direct physical access to the server
Direct Access to the Nework configuration and Firewall

Generate and Print Voucher Codes
WiFiRUSH provides the ability to generate and print voucher codes or user accounts based on a variety of parameters. It provides the ability to define valid usage duration, price, expiry date, maximum allowed usage in a session, minimum duration between logins, time interval during which usage is disallowed and more. The codes can be exported in .CSV or .TXT file format and printed on standard A 4 paper or Avery label sheets using any standard printer

User Management
The user management feature of WiFiRUSH allows the HotSpot operator to create and manage user accounts. Import .csv file to User Accounts in batches.

Usage Monitoring
The HotSpot software allows the HotSpot operator to monitor the usage rate across multiple wireless HotSpot locations. In addition to the ability to view the usage statistics for various time horizons (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly). It also provides detailed graphical charts illustrating the usage.

Sales Tracking
The ability to track daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sales for a single wireless HotSpot location or across multiple locations is a key feature of the HotSpot solution . This functionality allows the wireless HotSpot operators to obtain a clear view of the actual performance of the various HotSpot locations in near real time.
It also provides statistical and graphical illustration of the historical sales in various intervals of time.


AccessPoint/Node Status
The Control Panel continuously monitors all the wireless HotSpot locations and displays the status of each of these locations (online, off-line, in use). It also sends email or pager alerts (SMS) to the wireless HotSpot operator if any of the locations are down. This critical functionality ensures that the wireless HotSpot network runs without any disruptions. Remotely enable and disable entire HotSpot networks or individual HotSpots.

Add New Locations
One of the unique features of WiFiRUSH is that it allows the wireless HotSpot operator to instantly add additional new locations to the wireless network. This allows the WISP or the HotSpot operator to expand his wireless network in a rapid manner.

Multiple Currency Support
This feature of the control panel allows operators in different countries to specify the usage fee in their local currency.

Export/Import data in PDF & Excel
The control panel allows the operators to export user and usage data in PDF and Excel formats.
Import user account in .csv formats.

Add Time
The control panel allows the operators to add time to existing Time Codes and User Accounts. In addition, the users can add time by using the online "Manage Account" from the login page..

Bandwidth Management
This feature of the control panel allows the operator of the HotSpot to specify usage fees based on various bandwidth plans. The bandwidth plans include rate plans, cumulative data plans (daily and monthly) and plans that are a combination of rate & cumulative.

Multiple Payment Gateways
WiFiRUSH allows Wireless HotSpot operators to accept payments directly to their PayPal, Google Checkout or merchant account.

WiFiRUSH Hosted CPA provides a comprehensive user management, monitoring and billing platform for Wireless Internet service providers and wireless hotspot operators. Hotspot operators can configure their Wireless Gateway with the WiFiRUSH Hosted CPA ControlPanel in less than 10 minutes. The flexibility of the wireless Hotspot Solution enable it to be used in a wide variety of business locations and with a wide variety of business models:
Wireless Hotspot locations that operate on a usage-fee model
Wireless Hotspot locations that offers free service
Wireless Hotspot locations that offers free service and requires the acceptance of Terms and Conditions
Wireless Hotspot locations that generate revenue from advertisements.

WiFiRUSH Hosted CPA Enterprise Server: Enables you to centrally manage, and control access to, Wi-Fi networks of any size. Wi-Fi service providers around the world use WiFiRUSH Hosted CPA secure web-based interface to remotely configure APs, create custom-branded captive portal pages, track usage, enforce network policies, generate reports, and bill for access. Flexible design lets you run free or paid hotspots or hotzones. A single WiFiRUSH Hosted CPAEnterprise Server is capable of managing anywhere from one to hundreds of WiFi-CPA-powered APs. WiFiRUSH Hosted CPA Enterprise Server is designed to run in your data center, giving you the performance & reliablity you desire.

Plug N' Play WiFiRUSH Hosted CPA mesh Dashboard:

Ideal for school/office campuses, hotels, apartments and towns: Just plug one of our tiny routers into a DSL or other internet connection and spread additional units around the locations where you want internet access. There is nothing you have to configure - just plug them in.

Easy to grow: Adding additional routers extends the range and since any router can be plugged into the internet, you can add bandwidth where and when you need it.

Complete control over your networks: Customize the SSID, redirect URL and control how much bandwidth your users get - all from a centralized web-based dashboard. Manage the firmware version of your network quickly and easily with the Firmware Manager.

Monitor your network's health: See how the network is performing, how many people are using it and how much bandwidth they are consuming.

It's two wireless networks in one: A second encrypted network is available for your private or business use.

[webidy]

if i can add something about wifigator, it's a cool team, but when you have a problem with them ...................

i use it and for the inteface and the configuration, i find wifirush more "professionnal" i don't know the word in english but in french wifigator is a big "bidouillage" or "bricolage"

regs

nicolas

[robgmann]

@velocitystar is giving you all the features of wifirush, but not much of a comparison to gator. Let me offer my thoughts as someone who used WifiGator for 3 months and is now just getting started on WifiRush.

First the UI of WifiRush is far more professional and usable. I am very familiar with the OM dashboard and managing the open hotspot settings. So far I am finding WifiRush very intuitive to learn - it's like they took the best of the OM dashboard and added a bunch of point-and-click ADVANCED options.
I struggled with Wifigator and found the UI clunky and more difficult to learn. Their admin was good about responding to my help questions, though.

WifiRush virtual server is a HUGE opportunity to learn the system at no cost and without dedicating a box and having to learn RADIUS, etc. With WifiGator, I requested a "trial" account to see if I liked it. I was told to signup for $19.95 and if I didn't like it, then I could cancel. For $19.95 I was only able to setup 1 hotspot (their basic account). With WifiRush virtual server, I can setup multiple hotspots and if I like it, I guess I can keep using it absolutely free. (Right, WifiRush?).

So far, WifiRush complements my open-mesh firmware very nicely. I did not need to change anything on the firmware in order for it to run with WifiRush. In Gator, switching to their "Pro Dashboard" seemed like I would be re-flashing my devices and the dashboard did not offer any different feature set from the open-mesh dashboard. So, I left the OM dashboard running, and managed the hotspot billing through Gator. Not nice to have 2 different management tools. WifiRush is seamless.

Last, I would point out that WifiGator has taken a sad turn into some sort of legal and personal flame war between the developer, the founder, and some other guy in Brazil who is pissed off at everyone. (You can watch the flame war on various user forums).
I'm now on their mailing list and am receiving long-winded complaints from each of the parties involved. I find this completely unprofessional.

In contrast, I have found Wifirush provides professional clarification of what their product is, they market it professionally and so far appear to be a robust company with growth potential.

[mtlowes]

WigiGator was my 1st foray into actually managing open-mesh networks and I did signup on the 19.95 plan. Made my opinions on Gator clear once already.. however, suffice to say that in the past 6 months with WifiRush the experience has been confidence building in both the application and the organization.

I currently run 3 different large community based mesh projects, 1 with WifiRush and the other 2 with experimental options (coovaOM and MeshConnect). I will be without a doubt be managing all three of these networks with RUSH, just waiting for a new software update and implementation of my 1st standalone server to be quickly followed by several appliance servers.

Have already decided on WifiRush for my open-mesh networks and have arrived at this choice by 1st hand experiencing the competitive products out there and there is no comparision... Rush Wins.

Mind you, thats just my opinion and experience.

[tevan]

I had the exact same question as the OP. Thanks for the replies.

[K9Marc]

I also have a question on WiFi Rush, if I purchace a Open Mesh router, will it interface to the Rush dashboard without flashing the router?

Does Rush have the Google maping feature and router stats.

I'm using the Gator incarnations at this time and am looking to have a self hosted solution if this all goes away.

Also I'm runing on a Proxmox server with VM's in 64 Bit, will Rush run on this?

Thanks in advance!!!

[amerul]

and 1 more important think...wifigator online user function not functioning..but rush..every 5 minute update for the online user.