[OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured portals

[Kevin Jones]

Please explain to me how device initiated connections are using library
resources if they haven't accepted the Portal page.  I can't get anything
to work on my phone if I haven't accepted the portal page.  I may have an
address on the network but I am not able to do anything.  Is just getting
an IP Address considered using library resources?



On Mon, Feb 23, 2015 at 3:51 PM, Chad Neeper <cneeper at level9networks.com>
wrote:

> Hello, OPLINTECH:
>
> I've been hearing from some of my libraries that they're now going to be
> required to annually report WiFi connection statistics starting with 2015.
> Presently, other than one rogue, none of my libraries collect those stats.
> Being small libraries with only one or two very simple access points, I'm
> pretty sure that most of the devices they're using simply don't provide
> stats on the number of individual network connections. One way to provide
> the statistic would be to implement captive portals and require a human to
> click "I accept" to an Acceptable Use Policy on a splash page whenever they
> try to initiate a browsing session. The captive portal would likely provide
> the required statistics. But it introduced some other questions:
>
> 1) The state wants the number of WiFi connections....Are those supposed to
> be Human-initiated connections? When I walk into a library, my phone
> automatically establishes a connection and refreshes itself with various
> content, downloading my latest podcasts, synching my e-mail, etc. That's
> the behavior I want my phone to do, but I often don't want to open a
> browser session and actually browse to a website on my phone. Sometimes I
> do, but more often, I don't. So should those automatic connections count in
> the stats? If so, then every single patron with a smart phone will likely
> get counted, even if they're just driving by the library and come into
> range for a few seconds.
>
> 2) If the state is only interested in the Human initiated connections,
> then that would pretty much mandate a captured portal and require the click
> on "I accept" before a session is permitted. Personally, I hate WiFi
> hotspots like that because it interferes with the normal operation of my
> wireless device. I also hate being forced to remember to open a browser and
> perform an action after I've tried to figure out for a few moments why my
> device isn't connected properly.  In the past, I've even run into locations
> that for whatever reason the captive portal doesn't play nicely with my
> wireless device and I'm just SoL.
>
> 3) If I need to set up captive portals at each of my small libraries to
> report this stat, should I bill the state directly? My libraries are
> already pretty strapped.  ;-)
>
> 4) Does anyone collect this stat using software that isn't built into
> their wireless access points and isn't a full "I accept" human-interaction
> required captive portal?
>
>
> Ideally, I'd have something that's:
> - 3rd party software only solution independent of any particular vendor's
> access points
> - Open source
> - Simple/turn-key (translates to cheap to implement for my small libraries)
> - Doesn't prevent the normal background function of wifi devices when a
> human doesn't specifically want to use their browser
> - Collects the number of wifi connections that's either human-initiated or
> automatic, depending on which stat the state actually wants to know
> (assuming the state even knows the difference)
>
>
> I know people will probably reply with the names of their own captive
> portals or access point manufacturers/models that provide the stats. What
> are others planning to do now that this particular stat appears to be more
> required and what type of stats you're providing or plan to provide (all
> connections, human-only, whatever)? As much as that, I'm just kind of
> curious where/if this conversation thread goes.
>
> Any comments or thoughts on this?
>
> Thanks,
> Chad
>
> ______________________________
> *Chad Neeper*
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> *Level 9 Networks*
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> *Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
> schools*
>
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>
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