Network demonstration techniques are disclosed which allow a fully-operational, secure wireless network to be implemented at a customer location. Using only a portable authentication server, a laptop computer, and at least two access points, a wireless network can be set up at the customer location within a matter of minutes, so that a user of a portable computing device having an appropriate network interface card is able to roam throughout the customer location with the benefit of a wireless connection to one of the access points. The laptop computer contains software integrating the functionality of a security server, a user authentication database, and other components necessary to implement the wireless network. The user may also be able to communicate with the laptop computer and authentication server from locations external to the customer location, perhaps using a wireless wide area network or secondary wireless local area network. Using the network demonstration and related information about the customer, accurate cost estimates for installing a company-wide wireless network can be generated.