A Visitor-based network (VBN) is a computer network intended for mobile users in need of temporary Internet access. A visitor-based network is most commonly established in hotels, airports, convention centers, universities, and business offices. It gives the on-the-go user a quick and painless way to temporarily connect a device to networks and broadband Internet connections. A visitor-based network usually includes hardware (such as VBN gateways, hubs, switches, and/or routers), telecommunications (an Internet connection), and service (subscriber support).[1]
What is a VBN Gateway?
Virtually any Internet-based Ethernet LAN can become a visitor-based network by adding a device generally termed a "VBN gateway". The function of a VBN Gateway is to provide a necessary layer of management between public users and the Internet router to enable a plug and play connection for visitors. Typical VBN Gateway provide services and support for billing and management application integrations, such as PMS systems (in hotels), credit-card billing interfaces, or Radius/LDAP servers for central authentication models.
A common criteria for VBN gateways is they allow users to connect and access the available network services with little or no configuration on their local machines (specifically modification to their IP address). In order to accomplish this a layer 2 (See: OSI model#Layer 2: Data link layer) connection is required between the user and the VBN gateway. Aside from the layer 2 (or bridged) network requirement, there are really no other restrictions for using a VBN gateway to enable a network. As such, Ethernet, 802.11x, CMTS, and xDSL are all acceptable mediums for distributing networks to use with VBN Gateways.
In the simplest form a VBN gateway is a hardware device with a minimum of two network connections. One network connection is considered the subscriber network, and the other the uplink to the Internet. The majority of VBN gateways on the market today all use Ethernet interfaces for their connection, but as stated above, any layer 2 connection is acceptable for this.
Types of VBNs
Generally speaking there are three models of operation for a VBN: Transparent, Pay For Use, and Authenticate For Use.
Transparent VBN
A transparent VBN's purpose is to provide network services to users to reduce support and/or IT infrastructure costs. Generally these networks are not concerned with security but rather fast and easy access. Metro Wi-Fi networks, or free to use Hotspots are examples of this type of VBN.
Billing VBN
課金ベースのVBNとは、ユーザーがネットワークサービスを利用するために料金を支払うタイプのVBNです。従来、このタイプのVBNはホテルやホットスポット（Wi-Fi）ネットワークで利用されています。決済サービスは様々な方法で提供されますが、最も一般的なのは、ホットスポット環境ではクレジットカード加盟店アカウント、ホテル環境ではプロパティマネジメントシステムとの統合です。
認証VBN
認証型VBNは、ビジネス環境で最も一般的に使用されています。このような場合、VBNゲートウェイは、ユーザーがネットワークサービスにアクセスするために、ゲートウェイへの認証を求めます。通常、この認証はRADIUSサーバーまたはLDAPサーバーとの統合、あるいはユーザーが入力する必要があるアクセスコードの実装によって実現されます。
VBN はどのように機能しますか?
メーカーはVBNゲートウェイに様々な構成を提供していますが、共通の機能もいくつか存在します。最も基本的なVBNゲートウェイでもDHCPとプロキシARPが提供されており、ユーザーはIPアドレスの設定を必要とせずにネットワークに接続できます。キャプティブポータルは、課金や認証、利用規約への同意など、様々な機能に使用されます。ユーザーがキャプティブポータルの条件を満たすと、VBNゲートウェイはユーザーのトラフィックをルーティングします。
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