Previously we discussed an introduction to Wi-Fi Hotspot, but today we will talk about MikroTik Hotspot.

 
What is MikroTik Wi-Fi Hotspot:
Mikrotik HotSpot is a way to authorize users to access some network resources but does not provide traffic encryption. To log in, users may use almost any web browser (either HTTP or HTTPS protocol), so they are not required to install additional software. The gateway is accounting for the uptime and amount of traffic each client has used, and also can send this information to a RADIUS server. The HotSpot system may limit each particular user's bitrate, the total amount of traffic, uptime and some other parameters mentioned further in this document.
The HotSpot system is targeted at providing authentication within a local network (for local network users to access the Internet), but may as well be used to authorize access from outer networks to access local resources (like an authentication gateway for the outside world to access your network). It is possible to allow users to access some web pages without authentication using the Walled Garden feature.

The MikroTik HotSpot Gateway provides authentication for clients before accessing public networks.

MikroTik HotSpot features:
MikroTik Router has lots of features that time doesn't allow us to discuss here, but I will mention a few here.

Captive Portal:
We can define a captive portal as a splash screen presented by a Wi-Fi hotspot for users in order to handle their authentication and authorization.

Authentication:
There are different authentication methods for clients using a local client database on the router or remote RADIUS server;
user account in the local database on the router or remote RADIUS server.

The walled-garden system:
the walled-garden system is used to access some web pages without authorization.

Login page modification:
Where you can add information about the company and other relevant pieces of information on how to access the Hotspot system, status pages, etc;

IP Address Assignment:
Automatically and transparently change any IP address of a client to a valid address; starting from v6.48 HotSpot can inform DHCP clients that they are behind a captive portal (RFC7710);
Hotspot can only work reliably when IPv4 is used. Hotspot relies on Firewall NAT rules, which are currently not supported for IPv6.

MikroTik HotSpot is a way to authorize users to access some network resources but does not provide traffic encryption. To log in, users may use almost any web browser (either HTTP or HTTPS protocol), so they are not required to install additional software. The gateway is accounting for the uptime and amount of traffic each client has used, and also can send this information to a RADIUS server. The HotSpot system may limit each particular user's bitrate, the total amount of traffic, uptime and some other parameters mentioned further in this document.

The HotSpot system is targeted at providing authentication within a local network (for local network users to access the internet), but may as well be used to authorize access from external networks to access local resources (like an authentication gateway for the outside world to access your network). It is possible to allow users to access some web pages without authentication using the Walled Garden feature.

To learn more about MikroTik Hotspot, click Here.