Captive Portal and Virtual Wireless Lan Controller

enrico.becchetti · ‎06-11-2025

Hi all
in the wifi network created with 22 AP 1850 Mobility Express 8.10.196 with Virtual Wireless Controller I have to make a WLAN with captive portal. I would like to know if there is documentation and if the accounts can be local.

Thanks

Best Regards

Enrico

Rich R · ‎06-12-2025

Hi @enrico.becchetti

First you should clarify which type of WLC you intend to use - Mobility Express or vWLC? You cannot use both.
ME supports only Flexconnect Local Switching and runs on one or more APs. It's effectively AireOS WLC with minimal features.
vWLC can support very limited central switching but is not recommended so should also only be used with Flexconnect Local Switching. You will need a server to run vWLC.

Check out these technotes:
Understand Web Authentication on AireOS Wireless LAN Controllers
Configure AireOS Wireless LAN Controller Web Authentication
If you search you will also find various blogs and videos with examples too.

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TAC recommended codes for AireOS WLC's and TAC recommended codes for 9800 WLC's
Best Practices for AireOS WLC's, Best Practices for 9800 WLC's and Cisco Wireless compatibility matrix
Check your 9800 WLC config with Wireless Config Analyzer using "show tech wireless" output or "config paging disable" then "show run-config" output on AireOS and use Wireless Debug Analyzer to analyze your WLC client debugs
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