Setup Nile Captive Portal SSID

9 min

Configure a Service Area

Overview

Service Areas are locations where you need Nile connectivity-as-a-service.

Configuring a new Service Area

Click the '+' sign to start adding a site.

Name: Define the site location where you need the Nile service.

Find my address: Enter the exact shipping address where Nile will deliver its network elements.

Click the newly created service area and start adding all buildings within that service area. Enter the information for each building where you need the Nile service and save.

Note: If some buildings do not have unique addresses, you can drop a pin on the map for reference.

Click the newly defined building and add all floors in that building. Attach the floor plan to each floor.

Optional: After adding floor plans, you can define Wi‑Fi zones on the floors if applicable. Wi‑Fi zones are custom SSID zones used to serve a specific set of clients.

Configure DHCP

Overview

A DHCP server automatically assigns IP addresses, default gateways, and other network parameters to client devices. Nile offers cloud DHCP as a service you can use immediately, or you can use your own DHCP server (e.g., Windows Server, Infoblox).

If you are using your own DHCP server, configure the DHCP relay agent in the Nile Portal.

Option 1: Nile Cloud DHCP Server

Click on Nile DHCP.

Click on the '+' icon and enter the following details:

Pool Name: Enter a name for the DHCP user subnet.

Network: Enter the subnet

Default Gateway: This is auto-populated once you enter the network subnet. Please keep it as is.

Lease Time: Select the lease time. Default is 1 day.

DNS Server: Please input the IP addresses of your DNS server. For Example: 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4

IP Range: Click on the '+' icon to add an IP range. Specify the Start and End IP addresses. The fields are pre-populated; modify them as required.

The basic setup is now complete; this covers the most common configuration.

Advanced:

DHCP Reservation: Enter the device Hostname, MAC address, and the IP address to reserve for each device.

Options: This section is used to configure advanced settings such as NTP server, TFTP server, DNS Server, etc.

Option 2: Bring Your Own DHCP Server

Prerequisites

Ensure you have the IP addresses of all the DHCP servers you plan to use in your enterprise.

The Nile Service Block (NSB) acts as a DHCP relay and sends DHCP requests from the first IP address of each subnet (for example, for the employee subnet 192.168.1.0/24, it sends from 192.168.1.1).

Ensure your DHCP server supports Layer‑3 DHCP. Standalone servers such as Windows Server and Infoblox support this; many routers and firewalls do not. Verify support before configuring the Nile Portal.

Ensure bidirectional routing between the DHCP server and your core router/firewall that connects to the Nile Service Gateway.

Configuring DHCP

Click on the '+' icon and enter the following details:

Name: Specify the name you would like to use for the DHCP server.

Host: You can specify all the DHCP server IP addresses here. If you have multiple DHCP servers, please specify the other IP/FQDN in the subsequent hosts.

Geo Scope: Select the sites where this DHCP server will be used to assign IP addresses.

Subnet: Click on the '+' sign to add a subnet. Add all applicable subnets (for example, Employee, Corporate, and IoT).

Router: Enter the default gateway IP address for the subnet. This address is used by the Nile Relay Agent when obtaining an IP lease from the DHCP server. Ensure this IP is configured on your DHCP server as the router/default gateway DHCP option (commonly Option 3). This is typically the first usable IP in the subnet.

Click Save to complete configuration.

Configure Segments

Overview

Segments function as user-defined profiles grouping specific sets of users within an enterprise (e.g., Corporate, Guest). Each segment operates similarly to a VLAN in traditional networking and encompasses both wired and wireless devices. A single segment can extend across multiple locations or be applied enterprise-wide.

Configuring Segments

Click on the '+' sign to create a new segment.

Configure the following:

General Info: Enter a name for the segment.

Service Areas: Select one or multiple sites, buildings, or zones. For example, a Corporate segment can span all corporate sites, with each site using its own authentication method and subnet.

Authentication: For each site, select a custom RADIUS server or the default Nile RADIUS from the dropdown. Note: Custom RADIUS servers appear only after you configure them under Authentication.

DHCP: Select the DHCP server to use for each site.

Subnets: For each site, select the subnets configured on the selected DHCP server from the dropdown. Typically, one subnet per segment.

Advanced:

Wired Self Register: Allows wired users to self‑register their devices without administrator intervention.

Walled Garden: Define the list of URLs accessible before authentication (e.g., help pages, login portals).

Click Save to complete configuration.

Setup Wireless - Nile Captive Portal SSID

Nile supports three types of guest portals: Click-Through, Email Approval and Access Code.

Click-Through: Use this for an open SSID captive portal that requires guests to accept your company’s terms and conditions before accessing the guest network.

Email Approval: Guests enter their host’s (employee’s) email address; the host then receives an email to approve or deny the guest’s access to the guest network.

Access Code: Allows administrators to create multiple access codes that are valid for a defined duration.

Prerequisites

Before configuring the guest portal, prepare your company’s terms and conditions; these may vary based on your cybersecurity policies. Nile also provides default terms and conditions you can use.

Configuring Nile Captive Portal

Under the Guest Portal tab, click on the '+' sign.

Select Nile Guest, then choose Click‑Through or Email Approval from the dropdown.

Select the appropriate Geo Scope.

Click Save to complete configuration.