Cisco + CaptiveWiFi Integration

Cisco Catalyst.
CaptiveWiFi guest data.

Connect Cisco Catalyst Wireless LAN Controllers and IOS-XE access points to CaptiveWiFi using External WebAuth. Guests are redirected to the CaptiveWiFi branded splash page, authenticated via RADIUS, and granted access — all without replacing any hardware.

See it in action Setup guide
External WebAuth redirect on Cisco WLC and IOS-XE
Supports Cisco Catalyst 9800 series WLCs
RADIUS authentication handled by CaptiveWiFi
Walled garden for splash page pre-auth access
No Cisco ISE required
Setup

How to connect Cisco to CaptiveWiFi

1
Create a guest WLAN on the WLC
In Cisco Catalyst Center or the WLC web UI, create a dedicated guest SSID with Layer 3 Web Policy set to External WebAuth.
2
Set the External WebAuth URL
Point the redirect URL to your CaptiveWiFi portal endpoint. This is the URL guests will see before they authenticate.
3
Configure the walled garden
Add CaptiveWiFi domains to the pre-auth ACL so guests can reach the splash page before they've authenticated. CaptiveWiFi provides the domain list.
4
Add RADIUS server
Enter the CaptiveWiFi RADIUS server IP, authentication and accounting ports, and shared secret under the WLC RADIUS settings.
5
Test and go live
Connect a test device, verify the redirect to the CaptiveWiFi splash page, complete the login flow, and confirm internet access is granted.
Benefits

Why venues use CaptiveWiFi
with Cisco

Enterprise infrastructure, hospitality data
Keep your Cisco infrastructure and layer CaptiveWiFi guest data capture on top. No forklift upgrade required.
No Cisco ISE needed
CaptiveWiFi acts as the RADIUS server, so you don't need Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for guest WiFi authentication.
Full CaptiveWiFi feature set
Branded portal, social login, gamification, feedback, and 50+ integrations — all available on Cisco Catalyst hardware.
FAQ

Common questions

Does this work with Cisco Meraki?
No — Cisco Meraki uses a different integration method. See the Meraki integration page for details specific to Meraki cloud-managed hardware.
Which Cisco WLC models are supported?
CaptiveWiFi supports Cisco Catalyst 9800 series WLCs running IOS-XE, and legacy AireOS-based controllers (3504, 5520, 8540). Contact us to confirm compatibility with your specific model.
Is Cisco ISE required?
No. CaptiveWiFi provides its own RADIUS server, so Cisco ISE is not needed for guest WiFi authentication with CaptiveWiFi.
Also supported

Other WiFi hardware

Meraki
WiFi Hardware
UniFi
WiFi Hardware
Aruba
WiFi Hardware
Ruckus
WiFi Hardware
Get started

Ready to connect your
Cisco network?

Works with Cisco Catalyst WLCs and IOS-XE. External WebAuth with RADIUS. No hardware replacement.

See it in action