Configuring a PHN Portal Device with TP-Link Deco Router

Modified on Mon, 9 Mar at 12:58 PM

Configuring a PHN Portal Device with TP-Link Deco Router

The PHN Portal is a network device that creates a captive portal experience for your guest Wi-Fi network. When paired with a TP-Link Deco router, the Portal allows you to collect guest information and provide a customized sign-in experience for visitors connecting to your network.

Benefits of the PHN Portal

Guest Data Collection: Capture guest email addresses to build your direct booking database
Personalized Sign-In Experience: Create a branded portal page that matches your property
Automatic Device Recognition: Phones and tablets prompt for sign-in, while other devices connect seamlessly
Real-time Monitoring: Track portal status and guest connections through the PHN Dashboard

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

Part 1: Connect the PHN Portal

If you haven't already connected and powered on your PHN Portal device, follow the instructions in Connecting Your PHN Portal for the First Time, then return here once the status light is green.

Part 2: Deco App Configuration

1. Access Advanced Settings

Open the Deco app on your mobile device
Tap More on the bottom navigation bar
Select Advanced

2. Create an Address Reservation

Select Address Reservation
Tap Add or the plus icon (+)
Select Select from Client

3. Select the Portal Device

Find and tap the device with a name that starts with "portal-"
For example: "portal-2ccf675d13d3"
Tap Save

4. Verify Additional Settings

Important Configuration Requirements:

Guest Network Must Be Disabled:

Navigate to More > Guest Network
Ensure the Guest Network is set to Off
The Guest Network has limited configuration options and cannot support the captive portal

IPv6 Must Be Disabled:

Navigate to More > Advanced > IPv6
Verify that IPv6 shows as Disabled
If enabled, select Internet Settings and disable it

Testing Your Portal Configuration

1. Test with a Mobile Device

Disconnect your phone from the Wi-Fi network (if currently connected)
Open your phone's Wi-Fi settings
Select your Wi-Fi network and join
If using a password-protected network, enter the Wi-Fi password when prompted
A sign-in page should appear automatically within a few seconds

2. Verify Portal Page Content

The sign-in page that appears should match the preview shown in your PHN Dashboard
Navigate to Location > Portal settings to view the expected layout
If needed, adjust the layout and type of information you collect

3. Understand Device Behavior

Devices that will prompt for sign-in: Phones, tablets, laptops
Devices that will connect without sign-in: Baby monitors, game consoles, smart TVs, IoT devices

Note: Some devices may cache network settings. If you don't see the portal page, try forgetting the network on your device and reconnecting.

Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Solution
Portal LED Not Turning Green	Verify network cable is securely connected to both the Portal device and Deco router. Check that your internet connection is working properly.
Portal Not Showing in Deco App	Wait 2-3 minutes after connecting the Portal for it to appear in the client list. Try refreshing the Deco app or restarting it.
Sign-In Page Not Appearing	Confirm that the Address Reservation is correctly configured in the Deco app. Verify the Portal device shows as online in PHN Dashboard.
Portal Shows Offline in Dashboard	Check that the Portal LED is green. Verify your internet connection is active. Try power cycling the Portal device.
Wrong Sign-In Page Appearing	Verify the Portal device is assigned to the correct Location in the PHN Dashboard. Check your Location > Portal settings to ensure the correct layout is active.
Guest Network Enabled	The Guest Network feature must be disabled for the portal to work properly. Navigate to More > Guest Network and turn it off.
IPv6 Is Enabled	IPv6 must be disabled for proper portal operation. Navigate to More > Advanced > IPv6 and verify it is disabled.

Need Additional Help?

If you encounter any issues during setup or have questions about the PHN Portal configuration, please contact our support team (info@tenonedesign.com) with details about your specific situation and network setup.