Wifi Forward

Step 1: Set up subdomain

At GuestCompass we start with a work URL, which is usually yourname.guestcompass.nl. Soon we will ask what the permanent URL of your GuestCompass should be. Information.jullie-domain-name.nl is often chosen. We call that a subdomain.

You create a subdomain with a DNS setting. This is done through the organization where the domain name was also applied for.

The GuestCompass subdomain must become a C-name reference and point to webapp.guestcompass.com.au .

If that is set, please notify us so that we can link the new subdomain to your GuestCompass. Once the subdomain is working, you can proceed to step 2.

At GuestCompass we start with a work URL, which is usually yourname.guestcompass.nl. Soon we will ask what the permanent URL of your GuestCompass should be. Information.jullie-domain-name.nl is often chosen. We call that a subdomain.

You create a subdomain with a DNS setting. This is done through the organization where the domain name was also applied for.

The GuestCompass subdomain must become a C-name reference and point to webapp.guestcompass.nl.

If that is set, please notify us so that we can link the new subdomain to your GuestCompass. Once the subdomain is working, you can proceed to step 2.

Step 2: request wifi forward

Unless you are the person who maintains your WiFi network, you will have to send a message to the party who maintains your WiFi network. For example:

Dear WiFi partner,

We work with GuestCompass. They provide our online information channel. We would like to automatically forward users who log in to our WiFi network to: info.jouwnaam.nl via a captive portal.

Could you please let me know when this is set.

Sincerely,

….

Theoretically you are now at Step 3 (success !!). In practice, there are still a number of bears on the road. We will go through the most common ones here (questions 1/2/3 distinguish between background colors ??):

1. Your WiFi partner does not want to set the forward.

The wifi works now anyway. Why would you want to set a URL forward? We know from experience that setting a URL forward on your WiFi network works very well and ensures that guests make maximum use of your own in-house information channel, the GuestCompass!

2. It is not possible to set up a captive portal.

It is important that your WiFi partner takes a good look at the current situation and the possibilities for adjustment.

Unless you are the person who maintains your WiFi network, you will have to send a message to the party who maintains your WiFi network. For example:

Dear WiFi partner,

We work with GuestCompass. They provide our online information channel. We would like to automatically forward users who log in to our WiFi network to: info.jouwnaam.nl via a captive portal.

Could you please let me know when this is set.

Sincerely,

….

Theoretically you are now at Step 3 (success !!). In practice, there are still a number of bears on the road. We will go through the most common ones here (questions 1/2/3 distinguish between background colors ??):

1. Your WiFi partner does not want to set the forward.

The wifi works now anyway. Why would you want to set a URL forward? We know from experience that setting a URL forward on your WiFi network works very well and ensures that guests make maximum use of your own in-house information channel, the GuestCompass!

2. It is not possible to set up a captive portal.

It is important that your WiFi partner takes a good look at the current situation and the possibilities for adjustment.

1. Check how your WiFi network is secured.

Most WiFi networks are secured. You can secure a WiFi network in various ways. By answering the following questions you will find out how your WiFi network is secured:

• Security 1 If a guest tries to connect, he must immediately enter a password as soon as he clicks on the WiFi network of your hotel. In this case, the security is on the access points themselves and the password is required to be able to establish a connection with your network at all
  (see screenshot)

• Security 2 A guest can connect to your WiFi network without immediately having to enter a password. However, the guest is first referred to a login of terms page that must first be accepted. This is called a Captive portal. In the past there was often a login and password field on this page and you received the login details from the hotel to log in. Nowadays there are usually a few lines of text with the conditions for using the WiFi network and a button to connect to the network.
  (see screenshot)

• Security 3 A combination of 1 and 2 is also possible. In this case you will have to enter a password to connect to the network and the guest will be automatically forwarded to a captive portal where a guest must accept the terms of using the network before having internet access. A common combination where both security and acceptance of the hotel’s terms and conditions for use of the network are guaranteed.

• Security 4 A guest can connect without a password and have internet right away. A completely open network without security. You don’t come across this often. Very sometimes in remote areas where there is only one hotel and only guests are nearby.

2. With security types 2 and 3 you can activate a WiFi forward. With security types 1 and 4, a WiFi forward is not possible.

In case of security type 1 or 4, you must first convert it to security type 2 or 3 so that a captive portal can be enabled.

3. Limitations of the WiFi equipment.

Not all equipment has the option to set a URL forward and / or captive portal. We prefer not to provide a list of suitable equipment because the possibilities vary considerably per type and even software version. For example, if you have access points from Aruba, it is possible on the newer models, but older versions are not suitable and so on. When you have reached this point, your Wi-Fi partner can often tell you what the options are. If you don’t have a WiFi provider, you work with KPN Hotspots, Van Staalduinen or Sbit, a wifi forward is no problem there; they can set them up for you.

1. Check how your WiFi network is secured.

Most WiFi networks are secured. You can secure a WiFi network in various ways. By answering the following questions you will find out how your WiFi network is secured:

• Security 1 If a guest tries to connect, he must immediately enter a password as soon as he clicks on the WiFi network of your hotel. In this case, the security is on the access points themselves and the password is required to be able to establish a connection with your network at all
  (see screenshot)

• Security 2 A guest can connect to your WiFi network without immediately having to enter a password. However, the guest is first referred to a login of terms page that must first be accepted. This is called a Captive portal. In the past there was often a login and password field on this page and you received the login details from the hotel to log in. Nowadays there are usually a few lines of text with the conditions for using the WiFi network and a button to connect to the network.
  (see screenshot)

• Security 3 A combination of 1 and 2 is also possible. In this case you will have to enter a password to connect to the network and the guest will be automatically forwarded to a captive portal where a guest must accept the terms of using the network before having internet access. A common combination where both security and acceptance of the hotel’s terms and conditions for use of the network are guaranteed.

• Security 4 A guest can connect without a password and have internet right away. A completely open network without security. You don’t come across this often. Very sometimes in remote areas where there is only one hotel and only guests are nearby.

2. With security types 2 and 3 you can activate a WiFi forward. With security types 1 and 4, a WiFi forward is not possible.

In case of security type 1 or 4, you must first convert it to security type 2 or 3 so that a captive portal can be enabled.

3. Limitations of the WiFi equipment.

Not all equipment has the option to set a URL forward and / or captive portal. We prefer not to provide a list of suitable equipment because the possibilities vary considerably per type and even software version. For example, if you have access points from Aruba, it is possible on the newer models, but older versions are not suitable and so on. When you have reached this point, your Wi-Fi partner can often tell you what the options are. 

Step 3

Great it works! Only…

1. The captive portal doesn’t look nice. Can that be done differently?

The exact appearance of the captive portal depends on the hardware used. With some equipment you can neatly design the captive portal page. If your WiFi / network provider needs help with this, we can help with this in the form of supplying a captive portal in the house style of the hotel and matching the GuestCompass that follows after accepting the conditions.

2. The wifi forward does not work on all phones?

URL forward does not work on some older phones. In addition, it does not work on much newer Android devices. We, nor your WiFi provider, can do anything about this. From version 10 of Android, they have made a change in the field of captive portals on Android. As soon as the Accept or Connect button is clicked on the captive portal page, there is internet and the captive portal page is automatically closed by Android, so that you do not see the URL forward to the GuestCompass. In practice, this means that about 30% of the total number of visitors will not see the URL forward. The internet works on all devices.

3. Is my activation so complete?

The wifi forward works very well when activating GuestCompass. Via the wifi forward, guests are unknowingly sent to the GuestCompass. If guests click away the GuestCompass immediately, they will not always be able to easily find it again at a later time. Partly for this reason, we recommend that you always do more than just the WiFi forward. For all activation options Click here.

1. The captive portal doesn’t look nice. Can that be done differently?

The exact appearance of the captive portal depends on the hardware used. With some equipment you can neatly design the captive portal page. If your WiFi / network provider needs help with this, we can help with this in the form of supplying a captive portal in the house style of the hotel and matching the GuestCompass that follows after accepting the conditions.

2. The wifi forward does not work on all phones?

URL forward does not work on some older phones. In addition, it does not work on much newer Android devices. We, nor your WiFi provider, can do anything about this. From version 10 of Android, they have made a change in the field of captive portals on Android. As soon as the Accept or Connect button is clicked on the captive portal page, there is internet and the captive portal page is automatically closed by Android, so that you do not see the URL forward to the GuestCompass. In practice, this means that about 30% of the total number of visitors will not see the URL forward. The internet works on all devices.

3. Is my activation so complete?

The wifi forward works very well when activating GuestCompass. Via the wifi forward, guests are unknowingly sent to the GuestCompass. If guests click away the GuestCompass immediately, they will not always be able to easily find it again at a later time. Partly for this reason, we recommend that you always do more than just the WiFi forward. For all activation options Click here.

Although it is sometimes a bit difficult to set the wifi forward, and you cannot grab 100% of all phones, it is still worthwhile to set the wifi forward or at least do your very best. to get it working. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help you.