Aruba Instant Access Points (IAP) running firmware 6.5 or newer use a different configuration method than older versions. This guide shows you how to configure Aruba IAP with Spotipo's captive portal using the Aruba Central site type, RADIUS authentication, and access rules for walled garden functionality.
This guide walks you through creating an Aruba Central site in Spotipo, configuring guest network settings in your IAP web portal, and setting up RADIUS authentication with domain access control. The setup takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
What you'll accomplish:
Create an Aruba Central site in Spotipo for firmware 6.5+ IAPs
Configure guest network with external captive portal authentication
Set up RADIUS authentication and accounting servers
Configure access rules for pre-authentication domain access
What you'll need:
Aruba Instant Access Point running firmware 6.5 or newer
Admin access to IAP web portal
Active Spotipo account (start free trial)
Important: For IAP firmware older than 6.5, follow the legacy configuration guide instead. Firmware 6.5+ requires using "Aruba Central" as the site type in Spotipo.
Add an Aruba Central Site in Spotipo
While creating a site, make sure to select the Aruba Central/Aruba IAP as your router type.
Add a Network
In the newly created site, navigate to Settings Aruba Central/Aruba IAP config.
Make sure to remember and use all of the data shown.
Configure Aruba IAP
Connect to IAP web portal and use the New Network option.
Enter the SSID you would like to have and keep the network type as Guest
In the security tab, select splash-page type as external and add a new captive portal profile.
Fill in the following details
Hostname: app.spotipo.com
URL: Generated in previous step
Port: 443
Use HTTPs: Enabled
Next add a new auth server by providing
IP Address: 34.77.150.10
Shared Key: Generated in previous step
NAS Identifier: Generated in previous step
Set accounting mode to authentication and use 2 min as Accounting Interval
Enable Domain ACL for all the for all the required domains
Walled garden settings are not available from 6.5.4 firmware version. Hence use Acess rules as shown in the picture below.
Save And Test
Click Finish and Save the configuration. Wait for a few minutes and then connect to the SSID you have just created to test it out.
Your Aruba IAP Captive Portal Is Now Active
Once you've configured the guest network, RADIUS servers, and access rules in your Aruba IAP, wait a few minutes for settings to apply. Guests connecting to your SSID will be redirected to Spotipo's captive portal for authentication and you can start capturing guest data, running marketing campaigns, or offering paid WiFi access.
What to do next:
Test the captive portal by connecting a device to your configured SSID
Customize your splash page design in Spotipo dashboard to match your branding
Set up email marketing integrations to automatically sync guest contacts
Firmware 6.5+ configuration changes:
Walled garden settings no longer available—use access rules instead
Site type must be "Aruba Central/Aruba IAP" in Spotipo
Domain ACL replaces traditional walled garden for pre-authentication access
Common Aruba IAP setup issues:
Portal not loading: Verify Domain ACL includes required domains and access rules are configured
Authentication failures: Ensure RADIUS shared key and NAS identifier match Spotipo settings exactly (case-sensitive)
Accounting not working: Check that the accounting mode is set to "authentication" with a 2-minute interval
Wrong firmware version: Confirm your IAP is running firmware 6.5 or newer
Still having trouble configuring Aruba IAP with Spotipo? Contact Spotipo support via live chat or email us at [email protected], we'll help troubleshoot your specific Aruba IAP configuration.