Configuring a cloud-managed hotspot in the LANCOM Management Cloud (gateway router not managed by the LMC)

Description:

This document describes how to configure a cloud-managed hotspot with the LANCOM Management Cloud (LMC).

Requirements:

• LCOS as of version 10.42 or LCOS LX as of version 5.30 (download current version)
• Access to the LANCOM Management Cloud (subject to charge)
• Web browser

Scenario:

A company’s local network is operated with LANCOM access points and switches and is managed by the LANCOM Management Cloud, with the exception of the gateway router:

• A third-party router is used as a gateway, which takes over the DHCP address assignment in the local network and also provides the Internet connection.
• The gateway router is not managed by the LMC, but it is configured via VLAN so that it is located in the hotspot network and provides Internet access there.
• A local network is available to all employees.
• A LANCOM managed access switch is used as the central network component to which all other LANCOM devices are connected.
• The existing LANCOM access points broadcast a Wi-Fi network with the SSID “Management”. This Wi-Fi can be used by all company employees.

Image displaying a fragmented configuration menu of a LANCOM managed gateway router, highlighting various components including VLAN capabilities, WAN and Internet connections, and access points.

The existing scenario should be upgraded with Wi-Fi access for guests:

• An additional SSID should be broadcast by all access points (e.g. “HOTSPOT”).
• The guest Wi-Fi should be in its own local network that has no access to the company's management network and that offers only Internet access to users.
• There should be no communication between the Wi-Fi clients in the guest Wi-Fi.
• The non-LMC-managed router should also take over the DHCP address assignment in the hotspot network.

A screenshot displaying a complex configuration menu for network management, featuring settings for SSID, VLAN, LANCOM Managed Gateway, and Access Points, indicating both managed and unmanaged components.

Procedure:

1. Configuration steps on the gateway router:

1.1) On the gateway router, you create an additional local network, which is given a VLAN ID.

• In this example, we want the hotspot network to be assigned the local IP address range 192.168.67.0/24.
• The VLAN ID should be 999.

1.2) Make sure that the router also takes over the DHCP address assignment in the hotspot network and that you have a connection to the Internet in this network.

2. Configuration steps in the LMC:

2.1) Open your LMC project and navigate to the menu Networks.

2.2) Click Add network → Hotspot network.

Image of a technical dashboard display showing various network management options including sites, IP ranges, devices, and application management settings.

2.3) Use the Network settings to adjust the basic technical settings for the new hotspot network:

• SSID name: Enter a name for the broadcast SSID (e.g. HOTSPOT). This can be max. 16 characters long.
• Global IP range: This field specifies the IP address range used by the hotspot network. Enter the IP address range in CIDR notation (e.g. 192.168.67.0/24).
• VLAN ID: The VLAN ID is set to 999 by default. You can change this as you wish (in the range from VLAN ID 2 to 4094).

2.4) At this point you can save the settings of the hotspot network.

Image displays an interface for configuring a cloud-managed hotspot, showing options for network settings such as router and access point management, network name customization, internet access configuration, and language selection for user interface.

2.5) In the Advanced Settings you must now activate the option For the hotspot network no router (gateway) is managed by the LMC.

Screenshot of a user interface showing advanced settings options including translations, redirect after login, and management by the LMC.

2.6) Save the settings again.

2.5) The remainder of the configuration areas are for optional adjustments to the appearance and functionality.

• If, for example, you want access to the hotspot network to require password authentication, change the function in the Authentication area to Password and assign a global password for to accessing the hotspot.
• If you want to use voucher authentication, select the option provided. For a description of the configuration, see this Knowledge Base article.

Image showing a configuration menu for network settings, including options for default language, background, authentication, free WiFi access, and advanced settings.

2.7) Save your settings.

2.8) In the Switches section you specify the switch ports used to carry the new hotspot network. The selected ports are shown in the color of the hotspot network.

2.9) Then click on Save.

This image shows a technical network configuration interface, including sections labeled Add Network, Status Name, Network Types (such as VPNs and Hotspots), and Port Management with options to define network availability on different switch models.

2.10) Navigate to the menu Sites → Networks and select the site you are configuring.

2.11) Click the button Assign networks and select the hotspot network from the displayed list.

Screenshot of a LANCOM network management cloud interface featuring various tabs such as Dashboard, Sites, Networks Overview, and Wi-Fi Hotspots, displaying status and network name with IP range in CIDR notation.

2.12) In the final step, the new network configuration is rolled out to all devices on your local network.

• Switch to the Devices menu and roll out the configuration to all devices with a configuration status shown as “Outdated” since configuring the hotspot. This may take some time depending on the number of devices involved.

Screenshot of a network management dashboard interface, displaying options such as device activation, firmware updates, and configuration settings alongside various project and device status indicators.

2.13) This concludes the configuration of the cloud-managed hotspot. Your Wi-Fi will now broadcast a new SSID with the name of your hotspot network. As soon as you connect to this SSID, you will be asked to login to the network.

Alt Text: Screenshot of a network management dashboard displaying options for creating new WiFi SSIDs, with sections for status, radio band, authentication, and data transfer limits, as well as project and device management features.