Internet Gateway for Hotels FAQ
Implementing technology at a hotel property provides value for more efficient operations, better guest service, and increased satisfaction during the stay. Whether it’s digital check-ins and kiosks, or better security systems and smart lighting, or streaming Netflix on the in-room TVs, a solid backbone for the network is critical to keep these IoT devices and applications running smoothly. Even if it’s just logging into the Wi-Fi to tackle a few work emails, nothing causes more frustration than spotty service.
To amplify this challenge, hotels serve not only the overnight guests, but many of the properties offer event spaces to host dozens to hundreds of users who may access the network at once. There’s no question a better network is a high priority; in fact, two thirds of hotel operators rank enhancing bandwidth and connectivity as a top tech initiative. Below, I answer some common questions about Internet gateways for hotels, including what they do, what benefits they offer and why the Nomadix Gateway product is right for your property.
What is an Internet Gateway for Hotels?
For hotels and other locations where users are more transient than static, you need to have a way to simply identify, authenticate and manage users on the network. With the connected world we live in, access to the internet is a requirement for any service-based venue where people and their devices gather for more than a couple of minutes.
Simply having an internet connection and an ISP-provided router isn’t enough to manage today’s user devices. Nomadix’s internet gateways allow for the creation of a guest network that allows for access controls and the ability to manage the bandwidth used for those guests.
By controlling access, venues can manage bandwidth costs, ensure fair usage, and restrict connectivity to only authorized users.
What is the difference between a gateway and a router?
A router is just a device that allows packets to proceed from one specific network node to the wider network by forwarding those packets and directing them to their destination nodes. The router’s job is to manage the packets being sent to the network and make sure they can get to their destination and ensure any responses or traffic being sent to nodes behind the router can be forwarded there properly.
The gateway will actually manage the devices that send those packets to validate they should be granted access to the internet at that site, as well as manage the bandwidth among all the devices at that site as well.
While a router will limit all the traffic to the site based on the plan from the ISP, a gateway can manage that bandwidth more granularly to allocate individual or groups of devices part of that bandwidth. A gateway also has the ability to make sure that all devices on the network have access to some bandwidth and limit individual or small groups of devices from aggressively taking all the bandwidth.
This is especially important at hotels when one guest may be gaming or streaming videos, while another is trying to work; they both should have ample bandwidth to receive a quality experience. Think of the router as the onramp to the freeway that allows you to go wherever you need, but the gateway is the traffic cop controlling the access to that onramp.
What are some of the benefits of internet gateways?
When using an internet gateway, the ability to create a guest network for simple connections and management is the key. Gateways allow venues to offer different levels of service and access to bandwidth, as well as different authentication methods, which helps to either provide a simple return on investment for the equipment and ISP connection or at least make sure that only those users that are validated in some way (like checked-in guests) have access to the bandwidth the hotel site is already paying for.
Without an internet gateway, there is no way to limit the users connected to the network and no controls over their access to the bandwidth that is being provided. Internet gateways do more than just access and bandwidth control; they also help simplify the connection to the network for the guests. Managing the DHCP, support of different VLANs, handling IPSEC and VPN tunneling, and even support of older technologies like proxy allow access to the internet for all users and their access needs.
Why should hotels consider bandwidth management?
Bandwidth Management is a large concern due to the proliferation of applications and needs for accessing the network. Hotels or sites have limitations on how much bandwidth they can provide due to their location, which means that different sites will have different needs for their bandwidth control.
Internet gateways have many ways to control and manage the bandwidth based on the needs of the site. The ability to cap users bandwidth is not the only option but being able to allow dynamic access to the bandwidth that isn’t being used based on those caps will allow the full amount of bandwidth being paid for by the site to be utilized when available. They can also have the ability to offer some level of access to connect multiple ISP connections at a single site, enabling more bandwidth than just a single connection, if available.
How do gateways enhance backend operations? How do they enhance the guest/end user experience?
Internet Gateways offer peace of mind for the enterprise or back-of-house side of the hotel. They separate the guest access and bandwidth controls from those needed by the business. This helps create the security required for backend operations and still supports the guests’ access.
Our internet gateways also help make the guest experience simple and available. With the bandwidth controls and onboarding options for the network, the technology solution is set up once and “forgotten about” because it will do what needs to be done for guests. This will allow backend operations to focus on what sets them apart from other hotels without having to worry about the quality of services for their guests.
What Nomadix gateway is right for my property?
Our gateways come in a modular range, enabling from 100 to 2 million connected devices, for properties of all styles and sizes. The feature–rich software can be further expanded with complementary modules including Property Management Systems integration, high-availability, built-in firewall, and more. We continue to develop and enhance our solutions to support future hotel needs.
The EG 1000 supports a max bandwidth of up to 1 Gbps and up to 1000 devices, making it great for small properties. In the mid-size range, our EG 5K offers support to 5000 device and max bandwidth at 5 Gbps. For large properties, the EG 6000 is your best bet – 10 Gbps max bandwidth and 8000 devices. The gateways can be clustered together to expand beyond the bandwidth and user limits of a single gateway if needed to best fit your property needs.
Interested in learning more about internet gateways for hotels and which gateway is right for your property? Feel free to book a meeting and learn how Nomadix can support your hotel’s needs.
Jeremy Cook is the product manager for the Nomadix gateways. He has worked with Nomadix, an ASSA ABLOY company, for 27 years, joining the organization in quality assurance and moving through systems and pre-sales engineering and to his current role in Product Management.