[OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured portals

[Chad Neeper]

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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