[OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured portals

[Adam Murphy]

I used to have an Untangle server running (mainly for the captive 
portal) but removed it over a year ago. The CP didn't play nice with 
some devices plus it was an annoyance. I could put it back on the 
network (CP disabled) for a week to gather usage stats. Or look in to 
using pfSense.

My other thought was to use the DHCP logs from IPCop. Sum the number of 
leases provided over a week and then multiply by 52. I will have to 
fiddle with the logs to see if I can distinguish between new and renewed 
leases.

Adam

On 2/23/2015 3:51 PM, Chad Neeper 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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-- 
Adam Murphy
IT Specialist
Rossford Public Library
720 Dixie Highway
Rossford, OH 43460
P: (419) 666-0924 F: (419) 666-1989
www.rossfordlibrary.org