The Walled Garden in a MikroTik HotSpot is a functionality that allows network administrators to configure exceptions to internet access restrictions for certain websites or services.

Basically, it is a permission list that defines which resources can be accessible without prior authentication by users connected to the HotSpot.

We explain the main applications and benefits of using Walled Garden in a MikroTik HotSpot environment:

1. Unauthenticated access to specific sites

The Walled Garden allows users to access certain websites or services without needing to authenticate to the HotSpot system. This is particularly useful for:

• Promotional or informational websites of the establishment or company.
• Applications or pages required for authentication or registration, such as social media portals or email login pages.
• Emergency or public utility sites that must be accessible without restrictions.

2. Promotion and marketing

Companies can take advantage of the Walled Garden to promote their own services or products by allowing free access to their websites. This can be an additional selling point for potential customers visiting the location.

3. Improve user experience

By allowing unrestricted access to certain useful services, administrators can significantly improve the user experience within their network. This may include access to maps, public transportation, tourist information, or even entertainment.

4. Control and security

Despite allowing access to certain sites, the Walled Garden helps maintain control over the network and ensures that users authenticate or register to access the entire Internet. This also helps protect the network by limiting access to only those websites considered safe or necessary previously defined by the administrator.

Settings in MikroTik

Configuring the Walled Garden on a MikroTik HotSpot involves adding specific rules in the HotSpot configuration, which define the URLs or IP ranges accessible without authentication. This is done through the command interface (CLI) or using graphical configuration tools such as WinBox or WebFig.

Configuration Example

To add a URL to the Walled Garden in MikroTik, you could use a command in the terminal like the following:

/ip hotspot walled-garden add dst-host=*.example.com

This command would allow access to all subpages of the domain example.com without the need for prior authentication.

In summary, the Walled Garden in HotSpot MikroTik is a valuable tool for administrators looking to offer an accessible and secure network service, while maintaining control over overall Internet access.