Captive Wifi Networks

Captive Wifi Networks

  • “Captive Wifi” networks are networks where you need to login or click accept before connecting such as
    • Some apartments / dorms
    • Hotels
    • Starbucks
  • The Photon 2 can not connect to captive wifi networks

Solution 1: Campus wifi

  • Use the guest wireless network
  • Guaranteed to work, but obviously annoying

Solution 2: Hotspot

  • You can use your phone or Windows computer as a hotspot (Mac computer doesn’t work at the moment)
  • Note this uses the internet from your phonr or computer so if you have limited cell phone data plans, please be cautious doing this

  • The “name” of your hotspot needs to be a word with no spaces or special symbols.

  • Instructions

Solution 3: Register Your Photon 2

  • Some networks allow you to register your Photon 2 so it doesn’t need to login to connect
  • You will need to contact your dorm / apartment to see if this is available
  • You will need
    1. Webpage to MAC Address to wifi network. This might be provided to you when you connect a new device (like your phone) to the wifi
    2. Your Photon 2’s MAC address (unique number for device)

Code to Get Photon 2 MAC Address

  • To obtain the MAC address, add this code to a project and flash it
#include "Particle.h"
SYSTEM_MODE(AUTOMATIC);
SYSTEM_THREAD(ENABLED);

SerialLogHandler logHandler(LOG_LEVEL_WARN);

//if you don't have wifi access, uncomment the line below and flash using "Flash Application (local)"
//SYSTEM_MODE(MANUAL);

byte mac[6];  // the MAC address of your Wifi shield
int LED = D7;

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(9600);
    pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
    WiFi.macAddress(mac);
}

void loop() {
    for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
        Serial.printf("%02x%s", mac[i], i != 5 ? ":" : "");
    }
    Serial.println();

    // blink an LED - this is just here as a validation that it's working...
    digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
    delay(250);
    digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
    delay(1000);
}

MAC Address

  • After flashing the code above, open the Serial Monitor
  • You should see something like this. Copy it.

c8:2b:96:b6:40:B4 (just an example)

Registering Your MAC Address

  • Open the webpage provided by your residence
  • Register your Photon 2 by entering your unique MAC address
  • Here is an example

image-20220125190440788

  • Put the Photon 2 in listening mode (dark blue) and go through process of claiming the device again (you do not need to unclaim the device)

Credits

Updated: