I want to know what is the advantages and disadvantages between PPPoE and HotSpot feature in MikroTik?
I’m using PPPoE at the moment and i worry that some people talking about HotSpot, they said HotSpot better than PPPoE 
FYI: I use PPPoE Server (MikroTik) with FreeRADIUS as AAA
thanks.. if you can help me compare both..
no help?
One big difference is that HotSpot does not require any client software/driver, whereas PPPoE needs a driver on the client side. Talking about Microsoft Windows as client system, all versions below XP don’t have PPPoE drivers on board, so your client has to install one.
On the other hand HotSpot usually requires your client to open up his browser to log in before he can use your service (leaving out possibilities like static ip bindings etc.). So users wanting to connect to your service using a router or some kind usually have a problem (as routers usually don’t support logging in via HTTP).
So in short (my opinion - others might disagree…):
I would use PPPoE for “ISP-like” scenarios with dedicated customers using routers or the like to connect to you.
Use HotSpot for “short-time” customers, like in typical HotSpot scenarios (hotels, restaurant, train station, airport).
As far as functionality goes, you can do most things with both systems: Bandwidth limiting, uptime limits, …
Best regards,
Christian Meis
I think one big difference is that PPPOE connection is encripted and Hotspot not. (Cmit correct me if I’m wrong). I think that the better solution is to provide login with http method and encription as PPPOE connetion, but I’m understanding that the MK does not provide this.
Another interessant discussion is the what difference between PPPOE and PPPTP?
Max
Yeah, PPPoE CAN provide encryption.
The problem is that most standard DSL routers don’t support encrypted PPPoE, so this is rather useless if you cannot control the clients’ equipment.
Best regards,
Christian Meis
Yes but in WIFI environment the encription is usefull to guarantee better security. Can Hotspot functionality provide encription in MK in any way?
No, HotSpot cannot provide for encrypted communication.
You can use encryption on the wireless level (WEP/WPA/WPA2), of which WEP clearly is outdated regarding the security level provided.
Or you could use some kind of encrypted tunnel to provide service to your clients, as PPPoE (encrypted) or PPTP etc.
Or - but I don’t know one ISP doing that level of security as a standard to their users - you could create an IPsec tunnel to each of your customers. Again creating the need to configure IPsec (and have IPsec support at all) on your clients’ equipment…
Best regards,
Christian Meis
Thank you.
What you suggest for a isp in Fixed wireless scenario.
I’m using PPTP at this moment because is not possible to manage WPA in big scenario.
But I wish to provide login method with HotSpot MK. I try to use sniffing tools on MK as HotSpot network and it seems to provide a good protection versus sniffing tool. But I have dubt because could be my sniffing tools in WinXp machine could be not work property
What you think?
Thank you
thanks all.. now i learn a lot 
cmit,
I’m using PPOE and PPTP. What I noticed is that PPOE use statefull encryption while PPTP stateless. This difference cause instable connection with PPOE connection and stable connection on PPTP.
Do you know how to use stateless connection on PPOE calls, because it seems that is not possibile on MK.
ciao
and best regards
Massimo
I’m sorry, but I’m not aware of a way to achieve this on MikroTik.
Stateless MPPE encryption would surely be desireable, as this is a real gain for PPPoE connections over network links with high(er) packet loss (like any wireless network could be, at least from time to time).
MikroTik: How about adding support for this?
Best regards,
Christian Meis
we already support it, but your pppoe client doesn’t. ask microsoft 
So the RouterOS PPPoE server (and client) DOES support stateless encryption? Never saw it mentioned in the docs.
I know that MS refuses the negotiate stateless PPP encryption (for PPPoE).
Best regards,
Christian Meis
yes it does
I know that MS refuses the negotiate stateless PPP encryption (for PPPoE).
You are suggest to use PPTP on wireless lan at this point.
It is strange why MS PPPOE client wants use statefull and PPTP cans use stateless.
I want to use PPOE because on wireless lan I do not want provide IP address via dhcp, and PPOE help me on this kind of deployement.
What you suggest?
Thank you
We are using PPPoE over wireless in many situations without noteworthy problems. This is both with RouterOS and other devices as wireless clients.
I don’t see the immediate problems, as long as your wireless backbone is of good quality (i.e. no really big packet loss etc.).
Best regards,
Christian Meis
OK I have encountered this problem.
Customer that has low signal after connected via PPOE lost the connection after 5 min, they not surf on internet or other issue.
Via PPTP this not appends. MTU and MCU are reduced to 1400 - 1460 in both case but the difference remain.
I already know that I must deploy high gain direcive antennas on clients side, but meanwhile I want to accomodate until complete the whole installation.
Christian Meis please what is your Email address?
That would be the info at cmit dot de…
Best regards,
Christian Meis
thank you and best regards