Since we first started talking about using the browser as an authentication tool in December 2000 OpenSource implementations have started to appear. Here is a list of all the software I know of that implements either a CaptivePortal or an ActivePortal solution.

Open Source

• [http://nocat.net/download/NoCatAuth/ NoCatAuth]

  • Written in perl, supports Linux/iptables and OpenBSD/pfctl. GPLed. Supports authenticating modes against an auth service with a wide variety of backends, including a MySQL database, PAM, RADIUS, LDAP, and more. Also features a non-authenticating "open mode" that merely requires a user to accept an AUP before they can log in. This project is more or less seeking a new maintainer.

• [http://nocat.net/download/NoCatSplash/ NoCatSplash]

  • Written in C, currently under heavy development. Intended to be the successor to NoCatAuth, the gateway process and all its data files fit within 200-250k, making it ideal for embedded environments.

• [http://www.cc.saga-u.ac.jp/opengate/index-e.html Opengate developed at Saga University (Japan)]

  • GPLed, runs on FreeBSD. Uses a Java applet to keep the connection open, and ftp or pop3 servers for an authentication back-end. (added by Jim Thompson)

• MetaNet by ErikWalthinsen.

  • Still in early beta but it will provide an entire network application framework rather then just a CaptivePortal solution.

• [http://www.geekspeed.net/wicap/ WiCap] by BrianCaswell

  • Written in Perl and runs under OpenBSD. I believe this is what NovaWireless will be deploying.

• [http://www.river.com/tools/authhb/ River of Stars]

  • Wireless heartbeat implementation (presently most usable on an OpenBSD gateway)

• [http://www.lanroamer.net/soholanroamerdevframe.html LanRoamer] (Linux 2.4.x)

  • Based on the Linux 2.4 kernel and GPL'd. (Name changed to LanRoamer by Jim Thompson)

• [http://slan.sourceforge.net/ SLAN]

  • A GPL'd captive portal implementation using VPN technology. Has Linux and Windows clients.

• [http://ceres.unit.liu.se/netlogon-devel/ Netlogon] by Kent Engström at Linköpings University

  • Not much known, a basic captive portal solution.

• [http://www.itlab.musc.edu/~nathan/authentication_gateway/ Authentication Gateway HOWTO] by Nathan Zorn

  • Uses a PAM module to insert an iptables rule. Very simple and effective. (Added by LimAko).

• [http://software.stockholmopen.net/index.shtml StockholmOpen] by the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden

  • This system is also operator neutral, allowing different users to connect through the access network to different upstream providers. Implementation in C, uses PAM, Linux/FreeBSD. BSD License. (Added by MartinHedenfalk).

• [http://opensplash.qalab.com OpenSplash] by Aleksandr Melentiev from San Francisco Wireless

  • Inspired by the simplicity of wicap, intended to run on FreeBSD by utilizing Perl and ipfw. Doesn't provide much functionality, other than a simple AUP agreement. Development is in progress to expand its capabilities.

Commercial or Proprietary

• MikroTik Hotspot RouterOS -- www.mikrotik.com

  • http://www.mikrotik.com/Documentation/manual_2.7/IP/Hotspot.html

• Aptilo's Captive Portal

  • http://www.aptilo.com/pages/main/solution/mobile.htm

• Cisco's [http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/dsl_prod/6400/feat_gd/12_1_5/ssg.htm Service Selection Gateway]

• [??]

  • Starbucks has a CaptivePortal solution of some sort. Anyone know the details?

  • Yeah, its Cisco's Service Selection Gateway -- Jim Thompson

• [http://www.mschoice.com/ MS Choice] (site requires IE5) Microsoft's testbed for the Starbucks Deal.

  • "To prevent such unauthorized access and hacking, OIT developed its own authentication program requiring wireless users to log in through a web browser before access to the Internet is granted. If a user's connection is inactive for a certain amount of time, the authentication system closes the user's access, deterring potential hackers from taking advantage of the connection."
  • Not quite true. The Starbucks deal was Mobilestar, and there was precious little Microsoft content in the deal (or company). --Jim Thompson

• [http://www.news-info.gatech.edu/news_releases/lawn.html Columbitech's Wireless VPN ]

  • "... enables mobile professionals to access mission-critical data on the corporate LAN from all major handheld devices, with optimized performance and true end-to-end security from application to application. In addition, Columbitech's solution offers a secure always-on experience. Columbitech Wireless VPN will also support wireless network roaming."

  • http://www.columbitech.com/products/productsWVPN.asp

• [http://www.nas.nasa.gov/Groups/Networks/Projects/Wireless/index.html NASA's Wireless Firewall Gateway]

  • A solution using Openbsd, PHP, IPFilter and Apache. There is no source available that I know of.

• [http://www.wayport.net Wayport]

  • Another solution using Linux, perl IPF, and Apache. No source available --Jim Thompson

• [http://www.surfandsip.com Surf and Sip]

  • Hack using FreeBSD, perl, ipfw and mini_httpd. No source available -- MattPeterson

• [http://www.fatport.com FatPort]

  • Gateway software running OpenBSD, Perl, C, and Apache.
  • Auth server running PostgreSQL, etc..

  • System can be licensed, but code not available. --KenSimpson

• [http://www.birdstep.com IPzone] Linux,Apache No source available -- Suresh Rasaretnam

• [http://www.controlap.com ControlAP] Win*,*nix,MacOS, Zaurus,PocketPC - JAVA VM needed - No source available, web-based administration - free 30 days trial.

• [http://www.patronsoft.com/firstspot PatronSoft - FirstSpot], Win*, optional : MySQL, SQL server 2000 or similar

[CategorySoftware]