Library public Wi-Fi presents a web page for terms acceptance before full Internet access. Which advanced AP/WLAN feature is in use?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
That 'accept the rules' splash page before the Internet opens is a captive portal. Libraries and civic guest networks use it all the time. It is not airtime fairness and it is not a mesh role.
Full Explanation
Library public Wi-Fi that presents a web page for terms acceptance before full Internet access is using a captive portal. Captive portals are common on civic guest networks to present acceptable-use language, age or visitor acknowledgements, and sponsored access workflows before opening upstream connectivity. The feature is Layer-3/HTTP redirect policy on the guest path, not an RF scheduler.
Airtime fairness equalizes station airtime; it does not show a terms page. RTS/CTS only is a hidden-node protection mechanism, not a welcome portal. Mesh root election concerns wireless backhaul roles, not guest terms acceptance.
Exam caveat: identify captive portal when the symptom is a browser interstitial before Internet—especially on library and municipal guest SSIDs.
Operational check: associate a test device to the library guest SSID, confirm the terms page appears and acceptance grants access, verify staff SSIDs are not forced through the guest portal, and record portal URL and SSID binding in the as-built. Municipal technicians document the verified setting in the as-built packet so the next shift inherits a known-good civic configuration rather than tribal knowledge. Municipal technicians document the verified setting in the as-built packet so the next shift inherits a known-good civic configuration rather than tribal knowledge.