Configuring a PHN Portal Device with Your Router

Modified on Mon, 17 Nov at 3:16 PM

Configuring a PHN Portal Device with Your Router

The PHN Portal is a network device that creates a captive portal experience for your guest Wi-Fi network. The Portal allows you to collect guest information and provide a customized sign-in experience for visitors connecting to your network.

Router-Specific Setup Guides

Do you have one of these routers? We have detailed setup guides available:

If your router isn't listed above, follow the general instructions below.

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

What You'll Need

Before you begin: Ensure you have the following items ready:

PHN Portal device
Included network cable (Ethernet cable)
Included power adapter
Router with available Ethernet port
Access to your router's admin interface (typically through a web browser or mobile app)
Access to your PHN Dashboard

Screenshot placeholder: PHN Portal device and connection diagram

Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

Part 1: Physical Connection

1. Connect the PHN Portal to Your Router

Take the included network cable (Ethernet cable)
Plug one end into an available LAN port on your router
Plug the other end into the PHN Portal device

2. Power On the Portal Device

Connect the included power adapter to the PHN Portal
Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet

3. Wait for Connection Confirmation

Watch the LED indicator on the PHN Portal device
Wait approximately 1 minute for the light to turn green
A green light indicates the Portal is successfully connected to the PHN server

Note: If the light does not turn green after 2 minutes, verify that your router is powered on and that the network cable is securely connected at both ends.

Part 2: PHN Dashboard Verification

1. Check Portal Device Status

Open your PHN Dashboard in a web browser
Navigate to Devices from the left menu
Locate your Portal device in the list
Verify that the status shows as online and bypassed

2. Assign Portal to a Location

In the Devices list, check that your Portal device is assigned to a Location
If not assigned, click on the three-dots menu for the Portal device and select the appropriate Location from the dropdown

Part 3: Router Configuration

These steps require access to your router's administration interface. The exact location of these settings will vary by router manufacturer, but the concepts are the same across all routers.

1. Access Your Router's Admin Interface

Open a web browser on a device connected to your network
Enter your router's IP address in the address bar
Common addresses include: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1
Log in with your router's admin credentials

Tip: If you don't know your router's IP address, you can find it in your computer's network settings under "Default Gateway" or "Router."

2. Locate the Portal Device in Your Router

Look for a section labeled DHCP, LAN, Network, or Connected Devices
Find the device with a name that starts with "portal-"
For example: "portal-8b247h1a"
Note the IP address assigned to this device
It will look similar to: 192.168.1.100

3. Create a DHCP Reservation (Static IP)

Look for settings called: DHCP Reservation, Static IP, IP Reservation, or Address Reservation
Create a reservation for the Portal device using its MAC address or hostname
Assign it the IP address you noted in the previous step
Save the reservation

Important: Write down or copy the Portal's IP address—you'll need it for the next step.

4. Configure DNS Settings

Look for settings labeled: DNS, DNS Server, Name Server, or Domain Name System
Change from Automatic or ISP-provided DNS to Custom or Manual DNS
Enter the Portal's IP address as the Primary DNS server
Leave the Secondary DNS field blank or remove any existing entries
Save your changes

5. Wait for Changes to Apply

Your router may need to reboot to apply the DNS changes
This process typically takes 1-3 minutes
Wait for your router to come back online

Part 4: Optional Network Configuration

For easier guest access, you can optionally configure your Wi-Fi network as an Open network (no password required). This allows guests to connect directly to the portal without needing to know a Wi-Fi password. Make sure you update your guest information afterwards.

Change Wi-Fi Security Type to Open (Optional)

In your router's admin interface, navigate to Wireless or Wi-Fi settings
Look for Security, Authentication, or Encryption settings
Change the security type from WPA2/WPA3 to Open or None
Remove or clear the password field
Save your changes

Security Note: While an Open network makes it easier for guests to connect, make sure to consider your security requirements:

Open Network Benefits: Guests can connect without asking for a password, portal appears immediately
Password-Protected Network Benefits: Additional layer of security, can limit network access to known guests

Screenshot placeholder: PHN Dashboard Devices page showing Portal online status

Testing Your Portal Configuration

1. Disable the Portal Bypass

Open your PHN Dashboard in a web browser
Navigate to Devices from the left menu
Click on your Portal device to view its settings
Toggle Bypass off

2. 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

3. 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
Complete the sign-in process to verify that information is being collected correctly

4. 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.

Common Router Interface Locations

To help you find the settings mentioned above, here are common locations in popular router brands:

Router Brand	DHCP Reservation Location	DNS Settings Location
Netgear	Advanced > Setup > LAN Setup > Address Reservation	Basic > Internet > Domain Name Server (DNS) Address
Linksys	Connectivity > Local Network > DHCP Reservations	Connectivity > Internet Settings > Static DNS
ASUS	LAN > DHCP Server > Manual Assignment	WAN > Internet Connection > DNS Server
D-Link	Setup > Network Settings > DHCP Reservation	Setup > Internet > Manual DNS
Google WiFi/Nest	Google Home App > WiFi > Settings > Advanced networking > DHCP IP reservations	Google Home App > WiFi > Settings > Advanced networking > DNS

Tip: If you can't find these settings in your router, consult your router's manual or manufacturer's support website. Search for "DHCP reservation" and "custom DNS" plus your router model.

Troubleshooting Tips

Issue	Solution
Portal LED Not Turning Green	Verify network cable is securely connected to both the Portal device and router. Check that your internet connection is working properly.
Portal Not Showing in Router	Wait 2-3 minutes after connecting the Portal for it to appear in the connected devices list. Try refreshing your router's admin page.
Sign-In Page Not Appearing	Confirm that the DHCP reservation and DNS settings are correctly configured in your router. Verify the Portal device shows as online in PHN Dashboard. Ensure Bypass is turned off.
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.
Can't Access Router Admin Interface	Check your router's documentation for the correct IP address and login credentials. Try common addresses: 192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1.
Router Doesn't Have DNS Override Option	Some basic routers may not support custom DNS configuration. Consider upgrading to a router that supports this feature, or contact support for alternative solutions.

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 router model and network setup.