Overview; Typical Topology - TP-Link TL-R470T Plus Configuration Manual

Configuring Authentication
1

Overview

Portal authentication, also known as Web authentication, is usually deployed in a guest-
access network (like a hotel or a coffee shop) to control the client's internet access. In
portal authentication, all the client's HTTP requests will be redirected to an authentication
page first. The client needs to enter the account information on the page to authenticate,
then can visit the internet after the authentication succeeded.
1.1

Typical Topology

The typical topology of portal authentication is shown as below:
Figure 1-1 Topology of Portal Authentication
 Client
The end device that needs to be authenticated before permitted to access the internet.
 Access Device
The device that supports portal authentication. In this configuration guide, it means the
router. The Access Device helps to: redirect all HTTP requests to the Web Server before
authenticated; interact with the Authentication Server to authenticate the client during
the authentication process; permit users to access the internet after the authentication
succeeded.
 Web Server
The web server responds to client's HTTP requests, and returns an authentication login
page.
 Authentication Server
The authentication server records the information of the user's account, and interacts with
the access device to authenticate clients.
Access Device
Client
Overview
Web Server
Authentication Server
Configuration Guide 121