Sputnik sells the NexAira NexConnect 3G wireless broadband router pre-flashed with Sputnik Agent firmware. That means it works out of the box with SputnikNet to let you centrally manage and authenticate users on a distributed Wi-Fi network.

The Sputnik-Powered NexAira NexConnect uses 3G cellular networks or traditional DSL/cable service for backhaul. You can operate a managed Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere within range of cellular service--even in a moving vehicle such as a bus, train, or taxi, or ferry. Or, use the 3G connection for auto-failover in case wired broadband becomes unavailable.

Wired and wireless network users can be authenticated by the Sputnik-powered Linksys device, as its LAN and WLAN interfaces are bridged together. When used as a network gateway, end-users connected to third-party wireless hardware (in bridge mode) are routed through the Sputnik-powered device for authentication. Service providers can leave existing wired and wireless networks in place--whether Wi-Fi, WiMAX, mesh, or other frequency--routing network traffic through the Sputnik-powered device for authentication, tracking, and management.

Sputnik and NexAira ship the NexConnect with Sputnik-powered NexConnect firmware pre-installed. However, if you need to flash your NexConnect, refer to online documentation chapter titled "Upgrading Sputnik-Powered NexConnect Firmware".

To reflash your NexConnect, we recommend directly connecting your PC to the device's  LAN port, shown.

After your NexConnect has been flashed with Sputnik-powered firmware, the default port behavior will be:

- the RJ-45 Cat5 Ethernet port on the left is for WAN (wide area networking, or broadband backhaul to the internet - this is optional, as the NexConnect can get its backhaul via cellular 3G)

- the Ethernet port on the right is for LAN (local area networking) and PoE (power over Ethernet)

- default LAN/WLAN IP address is 192.168.123.254; DHCP lease subnet is 192.168.123.x

- WAN is set up as a DHCP client

The Sputnik-powered NexConnect control panel is available at:

- default URL:  http://192.168.123.254

- default password: admin

If you're intending to use your NexConnect with SputnikNet Express, our free service for branded Wi-Fi hotspots, you can skip this step.

Otherwise, sign up for SputnikNet, and make sure that you have an available subscription for your Sputnik-powered NexConnect.

Each Sputnik-powered NexConnect requires a Sputnik Agent Standard subscription (unless being used as a bridge).

For more information, see the online documentation section titled "SputnikNet: Getting Started".

While the Sputnik Agent should be running by default, it's a good idea to be sure it is active, and communicating effectively with the Sputnik Instant Setup server (for more information about Sputnik Instant Setup, see the next step).

To check the Sputnik Agent status, first associate with the Sputnik-powered NexConnect wired or wirelessly.

Log into the control panel on your Sputnik-powered NexConnect as follows (if your NexAira device has already connected to your SputnikNet Account, you will need to log in through its assigned captive portal, first):

- default URL:  http://192.168.123.254

- default password: admin

To confirm that the Sputnik Agent is running:

- click on the "Status" tab and scroll down.

- "Managed by" should show sputnik@wifi.sputnik.com/default (this is the URL of the Sputnik Instant Setup server, which will be replaced by your SputnikNet Account URL after you complete the next step).

- "State" should show "Running normally - Managed". If it does, you're up and running.

Associate with your Sputnik-powered NexConnect (wired or wirelessly), and subscribe it to your SputnikNet or SputnikNet Express Account using Sputnik Instant Setup. For more information, refer to the online documentation chapter titled "Subscribing Sputnik-Powered Devices to your SputnikNet Account with Sputnik Instant Setup".

If you're using SputnikNet Express, see the chapters in the online documentation section titled "SputnikNet Express".

Log into your SputnikNet Account and confirm that your Sputnik-powered NexConnect is active. Click on the name of the device to change its name, address, and other settings such as the Wi-Fi channel and SSID. From the Sputnik-powered device's "Edit Settings" page you can also change the captive portal that is assigned to that device.

For more information, see the online documentation chapter titled "Subscribing Sputnik-Powered Devices to your SputnikNet Account with Sputnik Instant Setup".

Sputnik offers a wide range of authentication systems for free, advertising-supported, or fee-based Wi-Fi. For more information, see the various online documentation sections on SputnikNet Authentication Systems.

You have full control over the branding on your captive portal pages. For more information, see the online documentation section titled "Branding Networks with SputnikNet".

Each Sputnik-powered device is assigned to a specific captive portal. Each portal can be associated with one or more authentication systems. Each authentication system can include optional network policies that are applied to authenticated users. A walled garden is a collection of network domains (URLs) that users are allowed to browse to before authentication, so those policies are assigned directly to captive portals.

For more information, refer to the online documentation chapter titled "SputnikNet Overview".

Try out your Sputnik-powered Wi-Fi network to make sure everything is working the way you want it to.

Log into the control panel on your Sputnik-powered NexConnect as follows (if your NexAira device has already connected to your SputnikNet Account, you will need to log in through its assigned captive portal, first):

- default URL:  http://192.168.123.254

- default password: admin

To confirm that the Sputnik Agent is running:

- click on the "Status" tab and scroll down.

- "Managed by" should show your SputnikNet ID.

- "State" should show "Running normally - Managed". If it does, you're up and running.

Check out www.sputnik.com/support for additional information about the SputnikNet service, documentation, and user forums.

Check out www.nexaira.com for detailed information about the NexConnect hardware.