Setting Up MikroTik for WiFi Marketing: The Complete Guide
Step-by-step configuration for MikroTik RouterOS. Covers hotspot setup, walled garden rules, RADIUS integration, and portal redirection.
MikroTik routers power thousands of venues worldwide. With the right configuration, a MikroTik device becomes the front door of your WiFi marketing platform.
This guide walks through the complete setup for MikroTik RouterOS, including hotspot configuration, walled garden rules, RADIUS integration, and portal redirection.
What You Need
- MikroTik router with RouterOS v6.45+
- Admin access to the router (Winbox or WebFig)
- Footfall RADIUS credentials
- A static public IP or DDNS hostname
Step 1: Enable the Hotspot
Create a hotspot profile bound to your guest WiFi interface. Set the hotspot address range and DNS name. Configure the hotspot to use external login (RADIUS).
Step 2: Configure RADIUS
Add Footfall RADIUS servers for authentication and accounting. Use the shared secret provided in your Footfall dashboard. Set the authentication port to 1812 and accounting port to 1813.
Step 3: Build the Walled Garden
Walled garden rules allow unauthenticated guests to reach the captive portal and essential services (DNS, certificate authorities) before logging in. Add the Footfall portal domain and any required CDN hosts.
Step 4: Portal Redirection
Configure the hotspot login page to redirect to your branded Footfall portal URL. The portal captures guest data, authenticates via RADIUS, and returns the session to the router.
Step 5: Test and Go Live
Connect a test device to the guest WiFi. You should see the branded portal. Complete login. Verify the contact appears in your Footfall dashboard within 2 seconds.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Portal not loading: Check walled garden DNS resolution.
- RADIUS timeout: Verify firewall rules allow UDP 1812/1813.
- Contacts not syncing: Confirm the shared secret matches exactly.
- SSL certificate errors: Use a valid domain, not an IP address.
Most MikroTik deployments go live in under 4 hours. If you get stuck, Footfall engineers can configure the router remotely during your onboarding call.