Understanding HTTP Redirect

You can enable the redirection of a wireless user’s first Web access to a custom webpage located on an external server. For example, the user might be redirected to a webpage that shows a company logo and network usage policy. The redirection affects only the user’s first HTTP access after the wireless client associates with the access point and the user opens a Web browser on the client to access the Internet.

The user might easily miss the webpage by hitting a refresh button on the browser or quickly selecting a different link, or simply accessing the Web through HTTPS. Despite the limitation of the HTTP redirect, this function is commonly deployed by Wi-Fi hotspots.

The HTTP redirect feature is enabled on a per virtual access point basis. When you enable HTTP redirect, you specify the URL to which wireless users are directed.

When HTTP redirect is enabled, HTTP packets are intercepted before any Layer 2 forwarding is performed.

Related Topics

• Example: Configuring a Virtual Access Point for No Security and HTTP Redirect (CLI)
• Example: Configuring a Virtual Access Point for No Security and HTTP Redirect (J-Web)