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Ruckus Setup
Connect CaptiFi to your Ruckus Wireless access points. This guide covers the complete setup for ZoneDirector and SmartZone managed environments.
Important
The portal URL and walled garden entries must be entered exactly as shown. Incorrect values will prevent the captive portal from working.
Prerequisites
- Ruckus access point(s) managed by ZoneDirector or SmartZone controller
- Controller firmware up to date
- Admin access to your Ruckus management interface
- CaptiFi account at app.captifi.io
Overview
The Ruckus integration involves four steps:
- Guest WLAN — Create a dedicated wireless network for guests
- Hotspot Service — Configure external captive portal redirect to CaptiFi
- Walled Garden — Allow pre-authentication access to CaptiFi domains
- Dashboard Link — Connect your controller to CaptiFi
Step 1: Create a Guest WLAN
- Log in to your Ruckus controller (ZoneDirector or SmartZone)
- Go to WLANs → Create New
- Configure:
- Name: Your guest WiFi name (e.g., "Guest WiFi")
- Type: Guest Access
- Authentication: Open
- Click Save
VLAN Isolation
For better security, assign your guest WLAN to a separate VLAN so guest traffic is isolated from your internal network.
Step 2: Configure Captive Portal (Hotspot Service)
This is the most critical step. You must configure a Hotspot Service that redirects WiFi guests to CaptiFi's external portal.
2.1: Create a Hotspot Service
- Go to Services & Profiles → Hotspot Services (ZoneDirector: Services → Hotspot Services)
- Click Create New
- Configure:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | CaptiFi Portal (or any name) |
| Login Page | External |
| Authentication Type | External |
| Portal URL | https://app.captifi.io/portal/ruckus |
| Redirect URL | https://app.captifi.io/portal/ruckus/redirect |
2.2: Apply Hotspot Service to WLAN
- Return to WLANs and edit your guest WLAN
- Under Hotspot Service, select the service you just created
- Save and apply
Step 3: Configure Walled Garden
The Walled Garden allows guests to reach CaptiFi's servers before they log in. Without these entries, the splash page cannot load.
- In your Hotspot Service configuration, find the Walled Garden section
- Add the following domains:
| Domain |
|---|
*.captifi.io |
app.captifi.io |
site.app.captifi.io |
fonts.googleapis.com |
fonts.gstatic.com |
TIP
If your controller version only supports IP-based entries, add the IP address 157.230.53.133 as well.
Step 4: Link in CaptiFi Dashboard
- Log in to app.captifi.io
- Go to Settings → Integrations
- Select Ruckus
- Enter your controller's public URL or IP address and admin credentials
- Follow the on-screen pairing instructions
- Click Connect
- CaptiFi will discover your access points and zones
- Select which zone(s) to manage
Step 5: Test
- Connect a device (phone or laptop) to the guest WiFi
- The CaptiFi splash page should appear automatically
- If on mobile, you may need to open a browser and visit any HTTP site (e.g.,
http://example.com) - Complete the login form on the splash page
- Verify internet access after login
- Check your CaptiFi dashboard — the guest should appear in your logs
Supported Ruckus Models
| Category | Models |
|---|---|
| Indoor APs | R310, R320, R350, R510, R550, R610, R650, R710, R720, R750, R760 |
| Outdoor APs | T310, T350, T610, T750 |
| ZoneFlex | ZoneFlex R500, R600, R700 series |
| Controllers | ZoneDirector 1200, 3000, 5000; SmartZone 100, 144, 300 |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Splash page not appearing | Verify the Hotspot Service is applied to the WLAN and that Login Page is set to External |
| "Portal unreachable" error | Check that Walled Garden includes *.captifi.io and site.app.captifi.io; add IP 157.230.53.133 if needed |
| Blank or broken splash page | Ensure fonts.googleapis.com and fonts.gstatic.com are in the Walled Garden so page assets can load |
| Guests can't get online after login | Verify the redirect URL is exactly https://app.captifi.io/portal/ruckus/redirect |
| No entries in CaptiFi dashboard | Check that external authentication is correctly configured and the controller is connected in CaptiFi |
| Controller not connecting to CaptiFi | Ensure the controller is remotely accessible (check port forwarding and firewall rules) |
| Settings not taking effect | After changes, re-provision access points from the controller; allow 1–2 minutes to propagate |
| HTTPS sites not triggering redirect | Guests may need to visit an HTTP site first (e.g., http://example.com) to trigger the portal redirect |
Multiple Sites
If you manage multiple Ruckus zones or locations:
- Each zone can have its own splash page design in CaptiFi
- Zones are discovered automatically when you connect your controller
- Manage per-zone settings in Splash Pages on your CaptiFi dashboard
Next Steps
Need Help?
Ruckus setups can vary depending on your controller type and firmware version. If you're stuck:
- Email: hello@captifi.io
- Live Chat: Available on captifi.io
- Ruckus Documentation: Ruckus Support