* About problems on installing Wiwiz HotSpot Builder Utility, please take a reference to Troubleshoots.
FAQ for hotspot owners
What is Wiwiz HotSpot Builder?
Who use HotSpot Builder?
What are the main Features and Benefits?
Is Wiwiz an ISP or a WISP?
How to create a Wi-Fi Hotspot with Wiwiz HotSpot Builder?
How can I install Wiwiz HotSpot Builder Utility? What are the system requirements?
What is Post-authentication Page?
Can I bind a HotSpot ID to different Wiwiz devices?
Is there a top limit of authenticated connections?
What if I don’t like the style of the default authentication page, or the elements in the page does not meet my needs?
What if I don’t like the style of the default post- authentication page, or the elements in the page does not meet my needs?
What is a Voucher Code?
What is Private Accounts?
What is Mobile Verification?
Mobile Verification is used for my HotSpot, but a message “The hotspot has exceeded the quota of sending SMS. Please contact the administrator of this hotspot.” is prompt when attempting to pass the authentication.
How to let some users I trust use my hotspot? How to block some users?
How to use my local user data or integrate my local system with Wiwiz?
Can I use both Mobile Verification and Wiwiz Auth API?
What is AD Injection?
How can I withdraw my earnings?
Why are there some frozen funds?
What’s the difference between Wiwiz Standard Edition and Wiwiz Professional Edition?
What if I find a bug, how to report?
FAQ for hotspot users
How to use a hotspot?
Where can I get a voucher code?
How to pay for using a hotspot?
How is the Using Duration calculated?
I paid for using the hotspot. Can I request for a refund?
Can I withdraw the funds that I added/recharged?
What if I encounter a problem when adding refunds?
FAQ for hotspot owners
What is Wiwiz HotSpot Builder?
Wiwiz HotSpot Builder is a wireless/wired Hotspot management system, by which you can create a captive portal. Wiwiz HotSpot Builder is composed wth two parts – Wiwiz Web Control Panel and a client named Wiwiz HotSpot Builder Utility. In typical scenario, the machine deployed with Wiwiz HotSpot Builder usually acts as the gateway to the Internet in a wireless (or wired) LAN. When a user in this network attempts to use the Internet, he/she firstly needs to open a web browser to access an arbitrary Http URL, and then a special web page (usually for authentication purposes) will be shown. The authentication has to be done before the user accesses the Internet.
Who use HotSpot Builder?
The answer could be :
# A WISP who provides Wireless Internet service
# Owners of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars …
# Administrator of companies, offices, studios …
# Administrator of public places such as libraries, hospitals, parks …
# Someone who wants to share his/her Internet links to others or do it to make some money
# And so on …
What are the main Features and Benefits?
# Capable of creating free of charge Hotspots.
# Capable of creating chargeable Hotspots:
- Multiple fee rates can be set for chargeable Hotspots.
- a trial period for users who use chargeable Hotspots can be set.
- Multiple currencies can be used, including USD, HKY, CNY, EUR and JPY.
# Multiple user authentication options, including:
- Agreement
- User login (with registered user’s accounts of Wiwiz.com or Private accounts)
- Voucher code
- Style-configurable authentication page, 15 templates included
- Wiwiz Auth API/Integration with user’s system
- Mobile Verification
- User-customized authentication & post-authentication page allowed
# Client Access Control
- View of current connections
- Capable of blocking or letting go access from certain clients
# White/Black IP or domain names list
# Capable of pushing message/information to hotspot users
……
Is Wiwiz an ISP or a WISP?
No. We provide software and related services to give you the ability to share your Internet connections.
But we are not an ISP or a WISP, which means that you do not gain any Internet connection from us.
Please be aware that you should make sure that it is legle to share your Internet connections or your ISP/WISP allows you to do that.
How to create a Wi-Fi Hotspot with Wiwiz HotSpot Builder?
It is very easy to be a Wiwiz HotSpot owner.
Step 1: Register as a Wiwiz.com user and create a HotSpot in Wiwiz Web Control Panel.
Step 2: Download and install Wiwiz HotSpot Builder Utility
How can I install Wiwiz HotSpot Builder Utility? What are the system requirements?
There are several simple ways to do it.
# The most simple way, you can run a Hotspot by using a DD-WRT/OpenWrt-installed wireless router (e.g. Cisco Linksys WRT54G) in which Wiwiz HotSpot Builder Utility is installed and configured.
# If your wireless router doesn’t support DD-WRT or OpenWrt, you can use your computer instead. typically, what you need to prepare are:
- a computer with VMWare or VirtualBox installed
- a wireless router
# Or you can just use a computer with Linux installed.
Please read the Installation Guide for details.
What is Post-authentication Page?
Once a user has passed the authentication, Web browser will redirect to a page called Post-authentication Page, which acts as a start page for surfing the Web.
Can I bind a HotSpot ID to different Wiwiz devices?
No, unless Auth-roaming is enabled. A HotSpot ID is the unique identifier of a Wiwiz HotSpot in Wiwiz Web Panel. Meantime, it also stands for a unique Wiwiz device (a Wiwiz Router, Authentication Gateway, or PC/VM with Wiwiz installed). One HotSpot ID should be bound to ONLY ONE Wiwiz device at the same time.
If a Wiwiz (wireless) router cannot cover your space, you can use wireless APs (or wireless routers those work in AP mode) to expand you WiFi zone.
Is there a top limit of authenticated connections?
There is no number limit of simultaneous authenticated connections, except for
- Wiwiz Auth API
- Private Accounts Login
The default limit number of connections is 200 per hotspot (HotSpot ID). You can purchase to increase the limit number.
What if I don’t like the style of the default authentication page, or the elements in the page does not meet my needs?
We provide default authentication pages which can be partially customized, such as background, fore(font) color, images, description texts and so no. Alternatively, you can use your own authentication page instead the default pages. You can either customize your own HTML code or use authentication page in your own system environment. Please view this article to learn more about User Customized Authentication Page.
What if I don’t like the style of the default post-authentication page, or the elements in the page does not meet my needs?
We provide a default post-authentication page which is very useful to your users. And you might want to send messages to your users with it. Alternatively, you can use your own post-authentication page instead the default one. You can either customize your own HTML code or use post-authentication page in your own system environment. Please view this article to learn more about User Customized Post-authentication Page.
What is a Voucher Code?
A Voucher Code is a authentication code, which can be set by the administrator of a hotspot. Each Voucher Code can be set to be used once only. It also can be specified using duration(in minutes), end time， and expiration time. If the administrator of a hotspot set Authentication Method as Voucher Code, the Voucher Code will be prompt on the Authentication Page. The user can pass the authentication only if he/she enters a valid Voucher Code.
What is Private Accounts?
The owner of a hotspot is able to set private login accounts for authentication, such as user name, password, hotspot, end time.
Once “Login” + “Private Accounts” is selected as Authentication Method of a hotspot, then the user of the hotspot is required to enter the user name and password of a private account(NOT a registered user’s account of Wiwiz.com) set by the owner of the hotspot.
What is Mobile Verification?
Once “Mobile Verification” is selected as Authentication Method of a hotspot, then the user of the hotspot is required to enter his/her mobile phone number and the Verification Code sent with an SMS text.
The owner of the hotspot is able to view all verified mobile phone numbers.
Mobile Verification is used for my HotSpot, but a message “The hotspot has exceeded the quota of sending SMS. Please contact the administrator of this hotspot.” is prompt when attempting to pass the authentication.
There is a quota limit for sending SMS texts for each Wiwiz account of the owner of a hotspot. When reaching this limit, the message prompts. The user of Wiwiz Professional Edition is able to get a Monthly Free Quota if Primary region is set in SMS Quota page of Wiwiz Web Panel. If you need more SMSs, you can purchase to get more. To learn more about Monthly Free Quota of SMS and the prices of SMS Quota, please read this page.
How to let some users I trust use my hotspot? How to block some users?
You can use Voucher Codes or set an Not-Free hotspot, besides, you have the Client Control. You can specify MAC addresses to make some users blocked, allowed or auth-free (Note: Auth-free causes connection information cannot be recorded in Current Connection or Connection History).
How to use my local user data or integrate my local system with Wiwiz?
You can easily integrate the Web authentication mechanism of Wiwiz into your local system or a third-party system, so that you can take advantage of resources of your local user data. For example, you can use the user data of your web site, blog, forum, OA system …, or Windows domain accounts / user data in Windows Active Directory. You can implement this by either of the following methods:
- Export you user data (user name and password), and make it your Private Accounts of your Wiwiz HotSpot.
- Do some programming with calling Wiwiz Auth API to fully integrate your local system with Wiwiz. To learn more, please read Wiwiz Auth API Manual and Specification“.
What’s more, you can also retrieve information of authenticated clients by calling Wiwiz Query API. To learn more, please read Wiwiz Query API Manual and Specification.
Can I use both Mobile Verification and Wiwiz Auth API?
Yes. You need to do:
1. Check Mobile Verification when setting Authentication Settings -> Authentication Method in Wiwiz Web Panel.
2. To send SMS text, use the source code in “How To Make A User Customized Authentication Page”:
(1) Add the following code before 在</head>:
<script src=”http://cp.wiwiz.com/as/AuthPageScript.js”></script>
(2) Then use the following code to send SMS:
<input type=”button” value=”Verify” onclick=”WiwizSmsVerify(document.getElementById(‘phonenum’).value, ‘XXXX’);” />
* Replace XXXX with your own HotSpot ID.
3. To verify the Verification Code in SMS text, you need to make an HTTP request on your server side as [srvurl]?smsverify=2&gw_id=[HotSpot ID]&userkey=[UserKey]&phonenum=[Mobile Num]&phonecode=[Verification Code]
e.g. http://cp.wiwiz.com/as/s/login2/?smsverify=2&gw_id=1384ADCDAB7&userkey=246DD22C084BB40E&phonenum=18011112222&phonecode=123456
The meaning of the Http Response is:
0: OK; 1: Invalid HotSpot ID; 2: Mobile Verification not enabled; 3: Invalid UserKey; 4: Invalid Verificaiton Code or expired; 999:System Error
What is AD Injection?
With this, users may see ADs set by the hotspot’s owner while surfing on the Internet with a web browser after being authenticated.
AD’s position, displayed size, re-show timing, and even matched keywords of URL ,page title, and browser’s User Agent can be set.
Be aware, currently, only Wireless Routers and Authentication Gateways (newer than Jun 19, 2015) in Wiwiz Store support this function.
How can I withdraw my earnings?
You can submit a withdrawing request in web control panel at any time if you have available earnings. We will pay out your earnings through Paypal or Alipay in several days.
Why are there some frozen funds?
The owner/administrator of a hotspot is required to set a time limit (>= 5 days) for payment confirmation (Days Before Confirm) if he/she makes a chargeable hotspot. A user can confirm the payment before this time limit. The payment will be confirmed automatically after it. The fund cannot be withdrawn (frozen) before the payment is confirmed.
What’s the difference between Wiwiz Standard Edition and Wiwiz Professional Edition?
Wiwiz Standard Edition is free of charge. We also provide service of Wiwiz Professional Edition in a very low price to users who need more features.
Each of the following services is charged for $5 US Dollars / month:
– Voucher Code Authentication / Private Accounts Authentication
– Authentication Page URL/HTML Configuration
– Post-authentication Page URL/HTML Configuration
Once you have purchased for all above, you will be upgraded to Wiwiz Professinal Edition, and will have its all features, including:
– Wiwiz Auth API (solution for integrating with 3rd-party system)
– Able to create up to 10 hotspots (up to 3 hotspots for Standard Edition)
– Lower Withdrawal Fee
– View Connection Log
– Support of Auth-free in Client Control
– Authentication of Mobile Verification (via SMS), and viewing verified mobile numbers.
Please read this page to learn more.
What if I find a bug, how to report?
We appreicate if you kindly submit a bug report!
FAQ for hotspot users
How to use a hotspot?
If you have already connected to a hotspot powered by Wiwiz, you can open your web browser and enter an arbitary http URL, then the Authentication Page of the hotspot will display. Click “Start to use this Hotspot”, you will see the authentication result. You can access the Internet if you pass the authenctication. If the owner/administrator of the hotspot set the Fee Rates, you can pay for it to use the Internet.
Where can I get a voucher code?
Click “Learn More” on the authentication page, you may find the contact information of the owner/administrator of the hotspot. If you are using a hotspot in a caf└, restaurant or hotel, you may also ask the staff.
How to pay for using a hotspot?
Click “Learn More” on the Authentication Page, you may find out the Fee Rates of the hotspot. Then click “Purchase” to start purchasing.
How is the Using Duration calculated?
If you pay for using the hotspot for the first time or the paid time is later than the current End Time, End Time will be Paid Time + Using Duration. Otherwise, End Time will be current End Time + Using Duration.
I paid for using the hotspot. Can I request for a refund?
The owner/administrator of a hotspot is required to set a time limit (>= 5 days) for payment confirmation (Days Before Confirm). Before this time limit, if you believe that the service of the hotspot you paid for is bad, we recommend you contacting the owner/administrator of the hotspot first, then you can request for a refund. The owner/administrator of the hotspot should respond to the refund within 5 days (the refund will be completed automatically if no response after 5 days). If the refund application is accepted, the refund will be returned to your Wiwiz account.
Can I withdraw the funds that I added/recharged?
No. You can purchase using balance in your account, but you cannot withdraw the funds you recharged into your account. However, you can withdraw your earnings paid from your hotspot users if you are hotspot owner.
What if I encounter a problem when adding refunds?
We appreicate if you kindly report your problem, so that we can improve our service.