Technical Guides
Deep, expert-led technical guides on guest WiFi, analytics, captive portals, and venue technology.
Ready to move from research to rollout? See how Purple's captive portal software handles branded guest sign-in, analytics, and compliance in one platform.
341 guides
Ubiquiti UniFi guest portal not redirecting: causes and fixes
This guide isolates a UniFi guest portal redirect failure by following the guest state, redirect, pre-authorisation route and controller authorisation in sequence. It gives venue IT teams a sourced method to address guest-network versus Hotspot confusion, external portal hand-offs, current UniFi OS account requirements and DNS isolation testing.
Cisco Meraki splash page not working: a troubleshooting flowchart
This practical day-two guide isolates where a Cisco Meraki splash flow has failed: client authorisation, HTTP redirect initiation, walled-garden reachability or RADIUS sign-on. It gives venue IT teams a controlled evidence path, so they can restore Guest WiFi without making broad changes to a live estate.
WiFi 7 Venue Deployment: Infrastructure Readiness for Stadiums and Hospitality Sites
This operational guide helps venue IT teams validate WiFi 7 infrastructure before access-point orders are placed. It covers PoE, multi-gig switching, cabling, controller and licensing readiness, analytics validation and a transparent 200-AP planning model for stadium and hospitality environments.
Enterprise Guest WiFi Setup Guide: VLAN Segmentation, Security, and Captive Portals
This technical guide shows IT teams how to set up Guest WiFi as a controlled internet-access service, using VLAN segmentation, firewall policy and a captive portal. It also explains how Purple's registration forms and onboarding controls support a proportionate visitor experience without weakening the boundary around staff, payment and operational systems.
How to revoke WiFi access when an employee leaves
This guide shows IT and venue operations teams how to remove Staff WiFi access when an employee leaves without disrupting the rest of the workforce. It compares certificate-based 802.1X, identity-specific iPSK and SCIM-driven deprovisioning, then provides a same-day runbook, test method and audit evidence model.
Measuring the Business ROI of Guest WiFi and Location Analytics
This technical reference shows IT and venue teams how to measure the ROI of guest WiFi with a defensible chain from network health and consented data to validated operational or commercial outcomes. It separates measurable evidence from assumptions, maps Purple Connect, Capture and Engage to the right measurement layer, and gives planning scenarios for hotels, retail estates and event venues.
PCI DSS 4.0.1 for hotel WiFi: what the 2025 deadline means for your guest and POS networks
This guide breaks down the mandatory PCI DSS v4.0.1 requirements for hotel WiFi networks, focusing on the March 2025 deadline. It provides actionable guidance for IT leaders on network segmentation, software patching, and wireless scanning to ensure compliance during 2026 assessments.
A Network Administrator’s Guide to Configuring RADIUS Authentication for Guest WiFi
A comprehensive technical reference for network administrators on deploying RADIUS authentication for guest WiFi. Covers architecture, vendor-neutral configuration steps, security best practices, and troubleshooting common deployment failures.
Secure BYOD WiFi: Passpoint certificate onboarding vs xPSK (iPSK)
A comprehensive technical guide for IT teams on securing unmanaged employee and student devices (BYOD) using zero-touch Passpoint EAP-TLS certificates vs vendor-specific xPSK (iPSK/easyPSK, DPSK, PPSK, MPSK).
How to leverage SMS in marketing to increase return visits
This technical reference guide outlines how enterprise venues can integrate WiFi analytics with SMS marketing engines to drive repeat visits. It details the architecture required to capture real-time presence data, trigger automated SMS campaigns based on physical behaviour, and measure the direct impact on return rates. By aligning network infrastructure with marketing automation, IT and operations teams can establish a high-yield channel for customer retention.
Configuring RADIUS Authentication for Guest and Staff WiFi Networks
This technical reference guide outlines the architecture, configuration, and deployment of RADIUS authentication for enterprise guest and staff WiFi networks. It provides network architects and IT managers with the exact protocols, security standards, and troubleshooting methodologies required to build secure, scalable wireless access control systems.
Captive Portals vs. Open Networks: Balancing Security and UX
This technical reference guide provides network architects and IT managers with a comprehensive blueprint for deploying guest WiFi networks. It analyses the technical trade-offs between open networks and captive portals, detailing how to balance security protocols with user experience. Readers will learn how to configure resilient redirection mechanisms, manage MAC randomisation, and implement seamless authentication workflows.
Passpoint and OpenRoaming: Complete Guide
This technical reference guide provides a comprehensive analysis of Passpoint (Hotspot 2.0) and WBA OpenRoaming frameworks within enterprise WiFi networks. It details the underlying authentication protocols, architectural components, and deployment strategies required to establish secure, frictionless guest connectivity. Network architects and IT leaders will learn how to design, implement, and troubleshoot these standards to eliminate manual login barriers while maintaining enterprise-grade security.
WPA2 Personal vs Enterprise: what is the difference and which should you use?
This technical reference guide provides a comprehensive comparison of WPA2 Personal and WPA2 Enterprise security protocols within enterprise WiFi environments. It outlines the architectural differences, deployment methodologies, and security implications of each standard to help network architects and IT leaders make informed deployment decisions.
Mikrotik RouterOS and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Purple's cloud guest WiFi sits on top of MikroTik devices running RouterOS, using the built-in Hotspot and RADIUS, and where to find the exact setup steps.
Captive portal for Ruijie: set it up with Purple guest WiFi
How Purple's cloud guest WiFi sits on top of Ruijie RG Series access points using web authentication and RADIUS, configured from the command line, and where to find the exact setup steps.
Captive portal for Cisco Meraki: set it up with Purple guest WiFi
How to run a Purple captive portal on Cisco Meraki: external web authentication, RADIUS and a walled garden, with a link to Purple's step-by-step setup guide for the exact configuration.
Allied Telesis TQ Series AP and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Allied Telesis TQ Series access points work with Purple guest WiFi: an external page redirect, RADIUS and a walled garden, with a link to Purple's step-by-step setup guide for the exact configuration.
Juniper Mist and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Juniper Mist access points work with Purple guest WiFi using an external portal and the Mist API secret, including what differs because Mist does not use RADIUS for the captive portal.
Captive portal for HPE Aruba: set it up with Purple guest WiFi
Setting up a guest captive portal on HPE Aruba Instant access points with Purple, using an external captive portal, RADIUS and an allowlist, through Aruba Central or the Virtual Controller.
DrayTek Vigor and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How DrayTek Vigor routers work with Purple guest WiFi: an external captive portal, RADIUS and a walled garden, with a link to Purple's step-by-step setup guide for the exact configuration.
Huawei iMaster NCE (CloudCampus) and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Purple's cloud guest WiFi sits on top of Huawei AirEngine access points managed in iMaster NCE, using portal authentication and RADIUS relay, and where to find the exact setup steps.
EnGenius and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Purple's cloud guest WiFi works with EnGenius access points through a standard external captive portal and RADIUS, and where to check support and find the steps.
Alta Labs AP and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Alta Labs access points work with Purple guest WiFi through an external captive portal, an authorisation secret and an IAPP key, with an honest note on the analytics that need RADIUS, and a link to Purple's step-by-step setup guide.
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