installing the egress™ server

Viator Network's Egress™ Server sits directly behind the router and in front of the internal network. This is required for the server to provide the automatic TCP/IP configuration, portal and firewall services. The standard server provides one internal Ethernet interface (for connection to the guest network) and one external Ethernet interface (for connection to the router). By adding additional NIC cards, the Egress™ server can provide separate, firewall protected network segments.

Internet access can be provided by any type of T1 connection, wireless, business-class DSL or business-class cable. The type of connection should be dictated by the number of rooms to be installed and the expected load on the network.

Network transport within the property can be any combination of types: CAT5, DSL, wireless, or cable. The only requirement is that the network can be connected to the server with a standard RJ-45 cable. The Egress™ Server is completely transport agnostic.

Click on each network component for more information.

The Egress™ Server provides a complete suite of services to the property through this server. These services include:

  • Fully brandable and customizable portal
  • Built-in configurable firewall
  • Intrusion detection
  • Anti-virus protection
  • Full PMS integration Individual port access control via PMS or browser
  • "Plug and Play" guest setup - no reconfiguration required
  • Free software upgrades for one year
  • SNMP control of network hardware
  • Apache Web server with optional SSL capabilities
  • E-mail server

Each of these services can be directly managed locally or remotely by a network administrator. The service also supports Viator's™ industry first "Roaming Admin" feature, which allows a hotel conference or sales manager to activate or deactivate ports using any TCP/IP capable handheld PDA.

Installing the Server

Once the network is in place, installation of the server takes minutes.

  1. Connect the router to the external NIC on the Egress™ Server
  2. Connect the internal NIC on the Egress™ Server to the first switch on the network
  3. Power up the Egress™ Server.
  4. Upon logging in for the first time, a setup script will run, which sets all external IP addresses, configures intrusion detection and allows you to set critical passwords.
  5. Reboot the Server
  6. Installation is complete

Because working defaults are provided, it is possible for a working system to be set up by people with limited network experience.

Hubs

The Egress™ Server does not support the use of hubs as primary connections to the rooms in billing situations. They may be used behind switches and each new connection will be managed by the Egress™ server.

Setting Up PMS Integration

The time required for integration with the property's property management system (PMS) depends on a large part with which PMS the property is using. The Egress™ Server is currently certified with the Micros/Fidelio, Eltrax, and HOBIC-capable systems. The company is developing other PMS interfaces as customers request them. Typically, the PMS manufacturer must provide some level of customization for the property's system. The time required for this customization is dependent upon the manufacturer and not Viator.

DNS Requirements

For proper operation, the Egress™ Server requires the complete and proper configuration of DNS, including reverse name lookup.

Updated: July 23, 2003