FirstSpot® v5

In development since 2002, FirstSpot® is a Windows-based Wi-Fi hotspot management software (sometimes also known as hotspot software, hotspot access controller or wireless gateway) designed to track and secure your Wi-Fi Hotspots or visitor-based networks in a centralized way. Based on captive portal technology, FirstSpot® lets your hotspot users to login simply by a web browser.

FirstSpot® is all about ease-of-use and giving you unprecedented control on your hotspots. Compare to other hotspot management offerings, FirstSpot® Windows-based architecture and server-based pricing gives you the most flexibility in structuring your hotspot access plan. Instead of just offering plain Wi-Fi access, building Wi-Fi Hotspots quickly becomes an important corporate image exercise.

FirstSpot® is the number one Windows-based hotspot software in the world and has been deployed in more than 45 countries worldwide. With more than 1000 customers, they come from a variety of industry segments including hotels, coffee shops, ISPs, Internet cafes, libraries, legal firms, governments, militaries, and more.

Features highlight

You will find these hotspot-oriented features come alive on your Windows platform:

End-user Friendly

• Web-based login, no extra client required

• Self sign-up accounts - CAPTCHA checking, configurable redirect option and initial credits using Plan (new!)

• Intelligent InfoBox showing users information (e.g. access minutes remaining, logout button, announcement - useful for sending promotion (new!), time left reminder (new!) )

• Configurable Instant Keywords™ support (e.g. typing "logout" in the browser address bar to bring up the logout window)

• SMTP roaming - client PC does not have to change Outlook SMTP setting to send email

• Universal clients support - Windows 2000/XP/Vista (IE and Firefox), Pocket PC, MAC, and device without browser (via Passive Login) (new!)

Hotspot Network Management

• Different Authentication Modes - using username & password, anonymously (i.e. simply click okay inside the welcome portal to start surfing), Multiple Logins (through Shared Secret) and RADIUS support


• Username can bind to the first login client MAC address (new!)

• Use MAC as username - mode of login that users only need to enter password. Also support passive login that users don't need to enter anything at all (e.g. useful for IP phone or NDS/PSP)

• Bandwidth throttling - applying limits on bandwidth consumption globally or down to per-user level to stop network abuse

• Client pass-through - allowing devices with certain MAC/IP addresses to pass-through without login

• Client Isolation - prevent clients PC from seeing one and other in My Network Places

• IP Block List - Block list which will block IP address range (useful for blocking Intranet)

• Port Filtering - allows administrator to enable limited application access (e.g. web only)

• Client Black List - ability to block offending client PC (new!)

For a Profitable Hotspot

• Versatile tracking models including :

i) access minutes (i.e. airtime credit) - e.g. coffee shop ii) hour-pass/day-pass (i.e. suspend at a specific date and time) - e.g. hotel (match the guest check-out time) iii) Recurring (new!) (e.g. every Mon/Wed at 7-9pm) - e.g. Internet cafe package, corporate environment iv) Restricted Account (new!) (when airtime credit or quota is used up, instead of suspending the account, user can still have access to the Internet but with Bandwidth Throttling set to global setting) - e.g. slower free access with full performance paid package, Municipal Wi-Fi, airport

• Data Transfer tracking and Quota System - useful in countries that don't have unlimited Internet access

• Prepaid card printout through the one-click user creation QuickAdd feature or Bulk Accounts creation - e.g. coffee shop can give out prepaid card once customers make a certain amount of purchase (new!)

• Credit card support with full PayPal, WorldPay, Authorize.net and Google Checkout (new!) integration - e.g. self-service Internet cafe, Internet kiosk

• Hotspot Printing - support of Internet Printing service PrinterOn for on site Hotspot printing - e.g. premium service for Internet cafe

• Comprehensive usage log and reporting for billing - including time, duration, data transfer, client MAC/IP addresses of client machines, and URL tracking

Unbeatable Customizability

• One-click login page customization - options to change (or randomize (new!), useful for advertisement) the graphics and text in the standard login page

• Different login pages for different network segments

• Dynamic Multiple Languages Support - FirstSpot will present appropriate language to the end-users based on client settings

Other Features

• Exception free web site support (can handle wildcard sub-domain name format e.g. *.google.com) - e.g. shopping mall can make the tenants' web site free while restricting other normal surfing

• NAT with Real IP for client PC (e.g. premium package for hotel or Internet cafe) and Port Forwarding support (new!)

• Failover - setup a second FirstSpot server for backup in case the first one fails (new!)

• QoS - ensure certain applications (e.g. VoIP) to get guaranteed bandwidth

• Operator accounts - administrator can define operator accounts with different access levels

• Option to remove inactive user accounts automatically (new!)

Got any questions? Take a look at our FAQ. To obtain a free FirstSpot® trial version, please click here.


(For the latest version history about v5, please visit here.)

FirstSpot is a registered trademark of PATRONSOFT LIMITED.

FirstSpot® has been featured in the following books:

Wireless All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies (2005)

Wireless Network Hacks & Mods For Dummies (2005)

Wi-Fi Hotspots: Setting Up Public Wireless Internet Access (2006)

PC Magazine Wireless Solutions (2004)

Wi-Fi Home Networking Just the Steps For Dummies (2006)