User registration in a PPSK environment

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RADIUSdesk enables the fast onboarding of new users in a PPSK network.
This page discusses the different options you can select to optimise your setup.

For user registration we make use of a captive portal with a landing page that allows for user registration.
We use a predefined preshared key that when used will dynamically move the user onto the network with the captive portal.
You can decide what role this captive portal must fill.
- You can use the captive portal in the traditional way that allows users to connect through it to gain Internet access with an option to sign-up. The signup dialog can include an option for the user to specify their own Private Preshared Key (PPSK).
- Alternatively you can use the captive portal simply as a place where the user can sign-up. During this registration process they can then specify their Private Preshared Key (PPSK) which they will give them full Internet access when they use their own Preshared Key.

In large installations, you can potentially have hundreds of access points, all centrally managed with MESHdesk and APdesk.
In these installations, you need to work with other components to get an integrated solution.
Typically you will have
- A common SSID configured for private PSK security on all access points.
- External / centralised onboarding captive portal.
- Multiple VLAN enabled switches.
- A firewall hosting multiple networks, each connected to a different VLAN.
This includes multi-dwelling units (MDU), schools, hotels and conference facilities as well as WiFi networks with IOT devices.

You may have noticed that the access points in the picture are the Aruba AP105.
RADIUSdesk provides a solution for networks and does not sell hardware.
The Aruba AP105 as well as many other older and current hardware is supported by OpenWrt and can therefore be used in your deployment.
No vendor lock-in

Network setup