When connecting Firewalla to a public network, sometimes the ISP may require a captive login or authentication via their website to get Internet access. Firewalla should be able to detect most of them, but if there are some captive portals or websites using non-standard implementations that can't be loaded properly via Firewalla App, here's a workaround.
For more information about connecting your Firewalla to a public network, see our article on Traveling with Firewalla.
Step 0: Check your VPN Client
If your Firewalla has a VPN Client connection set up to a remote server, and the Internet Kill Switch is enabled, you may have trouble accessing the captive portal. Please disconnect your phone from the VPN Client while you establish the connection between the Wi-Fi network and your box.
Step 1: Connect to the ISP
Make sure the Firewalla box is connected to the ISP that requires login/authentication. If you have another active WAN network configured, please temporarily unplug it.
Step 2: Connect a device to the local network
Make sure the Firewalla App can access both your local network and Bluetooth.
- If you have an iPhone, tap your phone's Settings > Firewalla. Ensure Bluetooth and Local Network are both enabled.
- If you have an Android, tap your phone's Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Bluetooth. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled. Your Firewalla app should have local network access by default.
Then, use any one of the three methods below to connect:
- If you have a wired laptop or PC, just plug it into one of the LAN ports on the Firewalla box, and you should be connected to Firewalla's default LAN.
- If there is an Access Point connected behind Firewalla, connect a wireless device (e.g. your phone) to the Wi-Fi of the AP.
- If Firewalla Wi-Fi is enabled, connect a wireless device (e.g. your phone) to the Firewalla Wi-Fi directly.
After connecting, your device probably will report no internet access, no worries, go to Step 3.
Step 3: Open the portal on your local device
On your local device, the native captive login for authentication should automatically pop up. If the login page doesn't pop up automatically, you can also open the browser on your device and visit any sites, it will redirect to the captive login.
Comments
2 comments
Just a personal experience , for those whom are using firewalla purple :
1) ensure you have 2 different devices, that has firewalla app installed and pre-configured with the F.Purple you have
2) in my case, I’ve a iPad and iPhone, the problem with some of the cafes / hotel wireless, it might be “sticky “ on the connection, thus confusing for couple of folks,
summary to re-connect : once your connection is timed out, and require to relog in, simply just that another 2nd device, to connect to your F.Purple, its ssid/ Wi-Fi name you have configured, and the login portal should once again be available
Bit of troubleshooting advice:
If you have VPN Client set up on your Firewalla Purple 'TURN IT OFF"! before trying to connect via a Captive Portal. Otherwise the captive portal request (captive.firewalla.com) returns a 'success' result, but never shows the portal for you to sign in. Took me 90 minutes of trial and error to work it out!
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