Technical WiFi guides
Deep, expert-led technical guides on guest WiFi, analytics, captive portals, and venue technology.
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473 guides
Bulk internet agreement vs managed WiFi: which model fits your building
A practical procurement reference for property, IT and operations leaders comparing resident-paid retail broadband, a bulk internet agreement and managed WiFi. It clarifies ownership, resident move-in, security, cost scope and contractual exit, using US bulk-internet framing and UK equivalents.
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.
Planning a WiFi 6 to WiFi 7 access point refresh when Cisco Meraki WiFi 6 reaches end of sale
This technical reference gives multi-site operators a decision framework for a Cisco Meraki WiFi 6 to WiFi 7 refresh before the 31 December 2026 last-order date. It pairs estate and backhaul planning with the Meraki Dashboard checks that protect Purple authentication and location-analytics continuity during every access point swap.
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.
How to Set Up a Captive Portal on Starlink for Guest WiFi
This technical guide explains how to bypass Starlink's native CGNAT limitations to deploy a secure, GDPR-compliant captive portal for guest WiFi. It covers the required architecture, VLAN segmentation, and bandwidth management strategies essential for remote venues, maritime operators, and event spaces.
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?
You will be able to decide whether WPA2 Personal or WPA2 Enterprise fits each group on your network, from staff and contractors to headless devices and guests. You can also weigh WPA3, compare the running cost of on-premises and cloud RADIUS, and plan a phased migration that retires your shared passphrase without a weekend cutover.
Cambium cnPilot and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Cambium cnPilot Enterprise access points work with Purple guest WiFi using an external captive portal, RADIUS and a white list, without replacing your kit.
NETGEAR Enterprise AP and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How NETGEAR Enterprise access points, managed through NETGEAR Insight, work with Purple guest WiFi: external web authentication, RADIUS and a walled garden, with a link to Purple's setup guide for the exact configuration.
Cisco Catalyst WLC and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How a Cisco Catalyst 9800 (IOS-XE) wireless LAN controller works with Purple guest WiFi: external web authentication, RADIUS and a walled garden, with a link to Purple's step-by-step setup guide for the exact configuration.
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 Ruckus Cloud: set it up with Purple guest WiFi
How to run a Purple captive portal on Ruckus Cloud (Ruckus One): a third-party WISPr captive portal, an integration key 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.
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.
Grandstream GWN and guest WiFi: captive portal setup with Purple
How Grandstream GWN access points work with Purple guest WiFi: an external splash page, RADIUS and a walled garden, with a link to Purple's step-by-step setup guide for the exact configuration.
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