IAC-BOX Documentation, Release 1.0
1.7 Guest Authentication
The next step is to figure out how to provide Internet access to guests in the Surflan network. The IAC-BOX offers an incredible wide array of modules and interfaces to cover the most common requirements out-of-the-box. In order for guests to access the internet, a Surf-Ticket is always required. Surf-Tickets can be generated manually beforehand (WebAdmin) or by guests (for example with the Facebook Login). Existing Surf-Tickets will always be listed in the WebAdmin menu Tickets / Manage. In this menu it is also possible to log off or revoke existing tickets.
The following list contains some basic authentication possibilities of the IAC-BOX:
• Ticket Login with Username and Password or only with a Password
• Login with Facebook, Google+ or Microsoft Account
• Authentication with existing PMS Systems
• SMS Login
• Email Login
• Buy tickets with PayPal or SaferPay
• Authentication with data from various SQL Databases, AD/LDAP and Radius
1.7.1 Ticket Login
The most common used authentication method in smaller environments is the Ticket Login. This means that guests have to enter a combination of Username and Password - or only a Password (also referred to as PIN Login) on the Customer Logon Page. Tickets can be manually created by administrators in the WebAdmin of the IAC-BOX using the WebAdmin menu Tickets / Create. By using Ticket Templates you create tickets based on pre-defined default values, so-called templates.
After creating the ticket, it can be printed and given to guests as a hand-out.
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In the Surf-LAN network of the IAC-BOX guests can now log in by using the Username and Password or by scanning the QR-Code as shown above. Note that the customization possibilities of the Customer Logon Page will be explained later on.
In order to review, add and edit Ticket Templates, navigate to the WebAdmin menu Tickets / Templates. Here you can find the default ticket templates of the IAC-BOX.
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Besides regular restrictions, a template must be enabled for each module to use it with, which means that if you want to use an existing or new ticket template to manually create tickets in the WebAdmin, the checkbox for
WebAdmin must be activated.
Attention:
• In order to understand ticket values like Time Rate, Flat Rate as well as further possible combinations, it is highly recommended to take a look at the help page of the WebAdmin to explore the meaning of all
Ticket Parameters.
1.7.2 Social Login
The Social Login is probably the most popular authentication on the IAC-BOX. It does allow guests to authenticate and create a Surf-Ticket by logging in with a social media account. The available Options are:
• Facebook ( Manual for Facbook Configuration
(page 125))
• Google+ ( Manual for Google+ Configuration
(page 136))
• Microsoft Account
• Twitter (Login-API only) ( Manual for Twitter Configuration on the Login API
(page 174))
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Attention:
• In order to provide authentication for Microsoft Accounts, you must obtain and install a custom Surf-
LAN certificate on the IAC-BOX. The problem with the Microsoft authentication is that hostnames can only be registred once to one single interface.
Hint:
• By November 2016 the Social Login module is free to use for all licenses. If you have an older License with valid maintenance navigate to License and click on register.
1.7.3 PMS Authentication
In a hotel environment often a PMS System is used to keep track of guest check-in’s, check-out’s and bookings.
Property Management Systems or short PMS Systems save data like the arrival or departure date, the full name, room numbers or even the birthday of a guest. For guests this information can be used to authenticate with the
IAC-BOX:
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While the Room Number is always required, it is possible to combine following data fields for the authentication:
• Name
• Name & Departure Date
• Name & Departure Date & PIN Code
• Name & Birthdate
• Name & Birthdate & PIN Code
• Name & Arrival Date
• Name & Arrival Date & PIN Code
• Birthdate
• PIN Code
Guests then can choose between the available Ticket Templates which are configured for usage with the PMS
Module. If ticket templates define a price, an according booking will be sent to the PMS system. This way guests can postpone paying tickets until checking out.
The PMS manual can be found here
(page 152).
1.7.4 SMS Login
The SMS Login enables guests to create a Surf-Ticket by using their mobile phone. In order to receive a SMS with the according login credentials (Username and Password or just Password), the mobile phone number has to be entered on the IAC-BOX Login Page.
Attention:
• An external SMS vendor is required to send the actual SMS. The IAC-BOX offers a list of supported vendors, see the :doc:’SMS configuration manual <../logon/messaging_sms>‘.
Further information can be found in the according
SMS configuration manual
(page 140).
1.7.5 Email Login
The Email Login enables guests to authenticate by using an email address. To receive the login credentials
(Username and Password or just Password), an email address has to be entered on the IAC-BOX Login Page, so that the IAC-BOX can send an email to this address.
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