Andrew Squibb <andrew@goose-island.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
> I'm looking into setting up a wireless access point as part of a
> commercial venture, but want to control access to the internet using
> some kind of server software (ie. someone buys a card with a code on.
> That code is valid once for an hour).
>
> Without this code the person cannot get through to the internet. The
> wireless access point uses the computer as a gateway.
>
> Can Linux do this?

Certainly, what you want is a "captive portal", and may be obtained
through the use of the NoCatAuth software. Basically, everyone is
prevented from having their packets forwarded through the router until
they visit an authentication webpace (any web-surfing gets redirected to
the auth page). The fill in the form (usually just hitting submit on an
AUP), and as long as they keep the webpage open, they can have their
packets forwarded.

NoCatAuth is most commonly used for providing access to community
wireless networks, and is used especially in Portland, USA. I don't know
if has capabilities for the exact scenario you describe, but it should
be fairly close. It runs on Perl, so you should be able to customize it
easily enough, if you know Perl.

--
Cameron Kerr
cameron.kerr@paradise.net.nz : http://nzgeeks.org/cameron/
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