This is a step by step tutorial how to build a Wifi Hotspot using Chillispot and Debian GNU/Linux.

Configure your NIC

You need at least two network interface cards to make the chillispot working. Install Debian GNU/Linux and configure the ip address of your network cards.

Your network card configuration should be look like this:

# This file describes the network interfaces available on your system
# and how to activate them. For more information, see interfaces(5).

# The loopback network interface
auto lo
iface lo inet loopback

# The primary network interface
auto eth0
iface eth0 inet static
    address 192.168.0.2
    netmask 255.255.255.0
    gateway 192.168.0.1

eth0 (WAN) IP Address assigned by your ISP
eth1 (LAN) no need to assign IP Address.

We don't need to configure eth1 since Chillispot takes care for the role of IP Address assignment using its own DHCP.

Edit your /etc/resolv.conf file and add the ip address of your DNS server.

Your resolv.conf file should look like this:

nameserver 10.0.0.1
nameserver 10.0.0.2

Installing Chillispot

To install chillispot on your Debian machine, type this command:

This will install Apache, MySQL, Chillispot and FreeRadius. After the installation an ncurses-based configuration menu will appear.  full story »