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Configure a Captive Portal

Updated

A Captive Portal is a sign-in page that appears when you first connect to the network. It serves as a security gate, requiring students, staff, or guests to sign in before accessing the internet.

Before you begin

Configure Captive Portal

  1. In Linewize Filter, go to Configuration > Authentication > Captive Portal.
  2. (Optional) Select Enforced.
    • Selected: Users must sign in through the portal to access the internet.
    • Cleared: The portal is available for users to sign in if they choose, but it is not required for internet access.
  3. Enter a Name for the Captive Portal.
  4. Select *Edit next to Networks.
  5. Select a Criteria from the dropdown. Select only one criterion and do not leave the dropdown blank.

  Note

If no criteria is selected, the Captive Portal defaults to Any, which applies to all of the school network and requires all users to sign in.

Criteria Description
IP Address
  • Applies to a single IP Address.
IP Address Object
  • Used for multiple IP addresses that people will sign in to that are not within a range.
  • Not recommended for network devices like printers, projectors, or cameras.

  • Needs a list of IP Addresses in Filtering > Object Pools.

 Tip

See Objects and Object Pools for more information.
Network Range
  • Applies to an IP Range only.
  • Does not use wildcards.
Network
  • Applies to an IP Subnet only.
  • Does not use wildcards.
  1. Enter a plain-text Message for the Captive Portal user. We recommend using fewer than 100 characters. For example: “Welcome to <School>, please sign in to continue.”
  2. Upload a Logo for the Captive Portal. Select Choose File and upload an image in JPEG or PNG format under 1 MB.
  3. For Methods, select one or more of the following:
    • Google - Authenticates users with Google accounts.
    • Azure - Authenticates users with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) accounts.
    • Standard - Uses school-provided usernames and passwords.
    • Guest - Uses a temporary token.
  4. Select Save.
  5. Configure optional Captive Portal settings.

Captive Portal User Experience

When all authentication methods are turned on, users will see the links on the Captive Portal page. Authenticated users can enter their school-provided usernames and passwords to sign in, or select Google or Microsoft. Guests need to select Sign in as Guest to continue.

Image 1: Captive Portal Sign-in page.