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---
title: "Configuring Hotspot 2.0 on Alta Labs Access Points Easily"
date: 2024-03-22
toc: true
draft: false
description: "Learn how to configure Hotspot 2.0 on Alta Labs Access Points for seamless and secure Wi-Fi connectivity. Don't miss out!"
genre: ["Wireless Networking", "Network Security", "IT Administration", "Wi-Fi Technology", "Tech Tutorials", "Network Configuration", "Enterprise IT Solutions", "Cybersecurity", "Wi-Fi Optimization", "Network Management"]
tags: ["Hotspot 2.0", "Alta Labs Access Points", "Wi-Fi Configuration", "Network Security", "Enterprise Wi-Fi", "Passpoint", "Wi-Fi Management", "IT Administration", "Wireless Networking", "Cybersecurity", "Seamless Wi-Fi", "Secure Wi-Fi", "TLS Configuration", "Radius Server", "Wi-Fi Alliance", "Enhanced Security", "Automatic Connectivity", "User Experience", "Wi-Fi Optimization", "Network Setup", "how to configure hotspot 2.0", "setting up hotspot 2.0 on alta labs", "secure wireless networks", "enterprise Wi-Fi setup", "configuring radius server for Wi-Fi", "optimizing Wi-Fi networks", "hotspot 2.0 benefits", "step-by-step Wi-Fi configuration", "advanced Wi-Fi settings", "hotspot 2.0 seamless connectivity"]
cover: "/img/cover/configuring_hotspot_20_alta_labs_access_points.webp"
coverAlt: "An animated cartoon-style image of a network engineer configuring a wireless access point with multiple devices seamlessly connecting to the network. The background shows various Alta Labs Access Points in a modern office environment, emphasizing security and seamless connectivity."
coverCaption: "Seamless and secure Hotspot 2.0 configuration"
ref: ["/guides/unlock-seamless-connectivity-hotspot-2.0-openwrt"]
---

**How to Configure Hotspot 2.0 On Alta Labs APs**

Hotspot 2.0 (HS 2.0) is a game-changer in wireless networking, offering seamless connectivity for users and streamlined management for network administrators. **Configuring Hotspot 2.0 on Alta Labs APs** ensures that your wireless network meets modern standards of efficiency, security, and user experience. This article guides you through the comprehensive steps required to set up Hotspot 2.0 on Alta Labs APs, ensuring an optimized and secure network.


{{< centerbutton href="https://amzn.to/4aBI0U7" description="Alta Labs AP6-PRO Professional Dual-Band Wireless WiFi 6 Access Point" >}}Get your Alta Labs AP6-PRO today!{{< /centerbutton >}}

______

## Introduction

**Why should you configure Hotspot 2.0 on your Alta Labs APs?** Hotspot 2.0, also known as Passpoint, is designed to provide a seamless and secure Wi-Fi experience similar to that of cellular networks. By configuring it on your Alta Labs APs, you enable automatic, secure connections for your users, reducing the need for them to manually select networks or enter login credentials repeatedly.

**Quick Goal:** This guide will walk you through the setup process, covering TLS configuration, realm definitions, and key parameters for HS 2.0 compliance. By the end, you'll have a fully functional Hotspot 2.0 network.

______

## Understanding Hotspot 2.0

### What is Hotspot 2.0?

**Hotspot 2.0** is a Wi-Fi Alliance certification program that allows devices to automatically discover and connect to Wi-Fi networks that support HS 2.0. It provides enhanced security and seamless roaming capabilities across different Wi-Fi networks.

{{< youtube id="4gDW6SJ150" >}}

### Benefits of Hotspot 2.0

- **Seamless Connectivity:** Users connect automatically to trusted networks without manual intervention.
- **Enhanced Security:** Utilizes WPA2/WPA3 Enterprise security, ensuring data protection and user authentication.
- **Improved User Experience:** Simplifies the connection process, reducing user frustration.

______

## Prerequisites for Configuration of Hotspot 2.0 on Alta Labs Access POints

Before diving into the configuration, ensure you have the following:

- **Alta Labs APs** with the latest firmware. **Recommended that you're on at least firmware 2.0m or newer**
- **Access to Alta Labs Management Interface**.
- **TLS Certificates:** **PEM formatted** `CA certificates`, `client certificates`, and `client private keys`.
- **Radius Server** configured for EAP authentication.

______

## Step-by-Step Configuration

### WiFi Network Name Configuration

You can specify anything under the Alta Labs **WiFi Network Name**, however it is recommended you choose something trustworthy and simple or matching your businesses name.

### WiFi Security Configuration

For this, **you must chose Enterprise** to support **Hotspot 2.0** and **Passpoint 2.0**.

{{< figure src="wifi-security.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for WiFi Security" >}}

### Radius Server

- If you are using **RADSEC**, you wil need to use `127.0.0.1` for the ip address here as we will be configuring `radsecproxy` below.

- If you are using **RADIUS**, you should enter the `ip address of your radius server`, the `secret`, the `auth port`, and the `accounting port`

{{< figure src="radius-server.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for Radius Server" >}}

> The default ports for **authentication and accounting** are `1812` and `1813` respectively.
### Sites Configuration

#### Site Configuration

Under sites, you should configure all sites that contain the access points that you'd like to apply the profile to.

#### Colors (Groups) Configuration

Under colors, you should either choose a color that applies to the access points within your selected sites that you want to apply the **Hotspot 2.0** profile to.

### Advanced Settings

> Further configuration options will be available under `Advanced settings`.
### Default Network VLAN Configuration

{{< figure src="default-network-vlan.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for Default Network VLAN" >}}

You can set the vlan to whatever you wish, but by default you should set it to `1`.

### Default Network Type (for Enterprise/Open) Configuration

{{< figure src="default-network-type.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for Default Network Type" >}}

For **Passpoint 2.0** and **Hotspot 2.0** configurations, you should select the **Internet (Restricted to Internet only)** option and only this option..

### Notes

You can specify whatever you'd like here.

### Bands Configuration

{{< figure src="bands.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for Bands" >}}

- Select the `Both` option to have the SSID be available on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
- Enable `Fast Roaming` **Required**
- Enable `PMF` Protected Management Frames **Required**
- Enable `BSS Transition` **Required**
- Set the `2GHz DTIM Period` and `5GHz DTIM Period` to the maximum allowable, `10`
- Set `WPA3` to `On`
- Enable `Power-User`
- Leave all other Bands options to their default.


### Power User Settings

There are many configurable options under the alta labs power user settings. But for **Passpoint 2.0** and **Hotspot 2.0**, we need to configure `radsecproxy` (depending on your environment) and `hostapd` to enable support.

{{< figure src="power-user-settings.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for Power User Settings" >}}

> The power user settings are configured in a `JSON` format. See examples below.
#### Configuring TLS Certificates

First, configure your TLS settings to ensure secure communication between clients and the network. You'll need to take your pem encoded certificates and specify your CA Certificates, Certificate and Key.

> If you are using `RADIUS` and not `RADSEC`, you can skip this part.
> If you're using Google Orion, you can [get the ca certificates here](https://github.com/simeononsecurity/orion-radsec/tree/master/cacerts)
```json
{
"tls": {
"default": {
"cacerts": {
"cacert1": "
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
",
"cacert2": "
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
",
"cacert3": "
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
"
},
"cert": "
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
",
"key":"
-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
...
-----END CERTIFICATE-----
"
}
}
}
```

#### Configuring Realms

Define the realms to manage authentication across different servers.

> The example here is the configuration for [Google Orion](https://orion.google/).
```json
{
"realms": {
"*": {
"servers": ["216.239.32.91", "216.239.34.91"],
"tls": "default"
}
}
}
```

#### Setting Up Hostapd Configuration

The `hostapd` configuration is crucial for defining how your AP will handle Hotspot 2.0. Customize the following to your liking.

> The example here is the configuration for [Google Orion](https://orion.google/).
```json
{
"hostapd": "
hs20=1
internet=1
interworking=1
access_network_type=2
disable_dgaf=1
oce=6
ap_isolate=1
venue_name=eng:Orion
venue_url=https://orion.google.com
hs20_oper_friendly_name=eng:Orion
radius_request_cui=1
radius_acct_interim_interval=300
roaming_consortium=F4F5E8F5F4
anqp_3gpp_cell_net=310,410;310,280;310,150;313,100
nai_realm=0,*.orion.area120.com,13[5:6],21[2:4][5:7],23[5:1][5:2],50[5:1][5:2],18[5:1][5:2]
domain_name=http://orionwifi.com
#venue_group=1
#venue_type=0
"
}
```

To understand all of the [hostapd configuration](https://w1.fi/cgit/hostap/plain/hostapd/hostapd.conf) options may take a while. Many of the options may not be supported on Alta Labs devices, you'll need to experiment a bit.

[Please read the following to understand more about the hostapd configuration options](https://w1.fi/cgit/hostap/plain/hostapd/hostapd.conf)

**Key Parameters Explained:**

- `hs20=1`: Enables Hotspot 2.0.
- `internet=1`: Indicates internet access.
- `interworking=1`: Enables interworking for seamless roaming.
- `disable_dgaf=1`: Disables DGAF to prevent multicast traffic.
- `oce=6`: Optimizes connectivity experience. For Carrier Offload this is a must!
- `ap_isolate=1`: Ensures layer 2 isolation for security.

A little translation is required, but there are many more recommended configuration options that I've specified in my [Hotspot 2.0 Configuration for OpenWRT Devices article](https://simeononsecurity.com/guides/unlock-seamless-connectivity-hotspot-2.0-openwrt/). Compare them to the exact line items you need in the [hostapd.conf example](https://w1.fi/cgit/hostap/plain/hostapd/hostapd.conf) to understand how they need to be defined for alta labs devices.

### Air-Time Efficiency

{{< figure src="air-time-efficiency.webp" alt="A screenshot of the recommended alta labs configuration for Air-Time Efficiency" >}}

You can configure this however you'd like, but we recommend leaving it as the default configuration.

______

## Testing and Validation

### Testing Connectivity

1. **Connect a compatible device**: Ensure the device supports Hotspot 2.0.
1. [Click here and scroll down for a list of Passpoint profiles to test.](https://simeononsecurity.com/guides/unlock-seamless-connectivity-hotspot-2.0-openwrt/#testing-hotspot-20-functionality-on-openwrt)
2. **Verify automatic connection**: The device should connect automatically without manual selection or credentials.
3. **Check security settings**: Ensure the connection uses `WPA2-Enterprise` or `WPA3-Enterprise`.

### Troubleshooting

- **Connectivity Issues**: Check if the TLS certificates are correctly installed and valid.
- **Authentication Failures**: Verify realm configurations and radius server settings.
- **Performance Issues**: Optimize the `hostapd` parameters and ensure the AP firmware is up to date.

______

## Conclusion

**Configuring Hotspot 2.0 on Alta Labs APs** is a straightforward process that significantly enhances the user experience and network security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can set up a robust, seamless, and secure Wi-Fi network that meets modern connectivity standards.

{{< centerbutton href="https://amzn.to/4aBI0U7" description="Alta Labs AP6-PRO Professional Dual-Band Wireless WiFi 6 Access Point" >}}Get your Alta Labs AP6-PRO today!{{< /centerbutton >}}

For more detailed information and support, visit the [Alta Labs documentation](https://help.alta.inc) and [Hotspot 2.0 specification](https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-passpoint).

______

## References

- [Wi-Fi Certified Passpoint](https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-passpoint)
- [Alta Labs Documentation](https://help.alta.inc)
- [OpenWRT Hotspot 2.0 Deployment Guide](https://simeononsecurity.com/guides/unlock-seamless-connectivity-hotspot-2.0-openwrt)
- [Hostapd.conf Example](https://w1.fi/cgit/hostap/plain/hostapd/hostapd.conf)
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