Meraki Dashboard Client device Creation & catching MAC address for device

[Skackar]

I am using the meraki online tool to test the features before purchasing the physical CISCO device. I am integrating WiFi network for the visitors where i stucked at a place. I wanted to create the custom splash (EXCAP) page so that i can capture and keep the users information at our end too. I am mentioning my concerns below.

So, below are my concerns:

1) Is there any way, where i could get the mac address of the devices along with mobile number before grant them to access the internet, as i wanted to save at our back-end too.

2) Can we use our custom scripts (PHP / JavaScript) under custom hosted splash pages, before granting the internet access. Like saving the Mobile & MAC address of the users device.

3) While using the Meraki Dashboard (Trial version), i am not able to create the client's (Mobile devices) for which 

i could test the AP (Access Points) i created under a Network. (How can i test the Access Points i created under the Network.?)

It would be really appreciated is any one share the relevant information / tutorials on the same which solve my concerns.

Thanks

Saurabh

[BrechtSchamp]

You should always be able to trial Meraki equipment for at least 30 days. Get in contact with a Meraki Rep so you can POC with the real thing.

Regarding your questions, you can create your own splash pages and indeed using PHP require any information you deem necessary before you allow clients to connect to the network. The client mac will be made available to your splash page. You can also save all that information in a database if you want (check local laws for privacy regulation though).

Info about the custom splash pages is here:

https://create.meraki.io/guides/captive-portal-api/

Also check this github that's linked from that page, it's some sample php based splash page with login:

https://github.com/jbergler/meraki-php-excap

And finally some info also here:

https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/Splash_Page/Configuring_a_Custom-Hosted_Splash_Page

Edit: I gave the example of PHP, but indeed, any language can be used. The whole process just uses standard HTTP POST and GET. Also not that all my comments are specifically about custom splash (excap) not custom themes.

[Skackar]

When i am using custom splash page (EXCAP),  then i need only mobile number of the end user before granting the wifi internet. But for that i also need users MAC address to save at my back-end along with mobile number. So, that next time when users comes under the same network it map's the MAC with our database then after he will be allow to access the internet.

 I already check the tutorials link you shared, but haven't find my answer.

1) Can i get users MAC address before granting him the wifi internet access, as our product requirement is to save his contact number for sending the Notification when roaming under the same network.

2) While using the custom script's (say PHP) under EXCAP, can we use the MySQL database for saving the users MAC & Mobile number.?

3) Is there any way where we can test the AP's via virtual client (Mobile), before buying the physical equipment.

Please confirm mainly on the above pointers, please.!

Thanks

Saurabh

[PhilipDAth]

This is the EXCAP guide.

https://meraki.cisco.com/lib/pdf/meraki_whitepaper_captive_portal.pdf

Search for "client_mac".  It is passed in the URL call to your hosted page.

[BrechtSchamp · Accepted solution]

1) Yes. See also the PHP login splash I shared:

https://github.com/jbergler/meraki-php-excap/blob/master/splash.php

When the splash page is opened on the client it gets that info.

This code snippet from the splash page I linked above shows you how to access it:

if ($isLoginRequest) {
		// URLs
		$data['loginUrl'] = urldecode($_REQUEST['login_url']);
		$data['nextUrl'] = urldecode($_REQUEST['continue']);
		// Access Point Info
		$data['ap']['mac'] = $_REQUEST['ap_mac'];
		$data['ap']['name'] = $_REQUEST['ap_name'];
		$data['ap']['tags'] = explode(" ", $_REQUEST['ap_tags']);
		// Client Info
		$data['client']['mac'] = $_REQUEST['client_mac'];  // <--------- THIS LINE
	}

2) Sure, what you use on the backend is your choice. It's just like a normal website. You create it.

3) Like I mentioned before, you can try equipment and send it back if it doesn't work out. Get in contact with your Meraki rep. Or like @PhilipDAth said, you could attend a webinar and get a free AP.

[PhilipDAth]

1. If you are using EXCAP then you will be creating your own splash portal on your own server(s).  You can use whatever language you want, and your portal can ask the user for whatever information you want.

2. No, you can only use HTML5/CSS.

3. If you are an IT person, why don't you attend a webinar and get a free AP?

https://meraki.cisco.com/lp/free-demo