WiFi Sphere
What is WiFi Sphere?
WiFi Sphere is a cloud controller for MikroTik routers. You register each MikroTik, paste one setup script, then manage Wi-Fi names, DHCP pools, guest splash pages, check-in, and connected devices from the portal.
FAQs
Straight answers before you register.
The controller is on portal.wifisphere.co.uk. This site is the public website for WiFi Sphere, a LongDog Labs product.
What is included in the price?
The plan includes a slot for one MikroTik. Extra slots are £10 a month. The board itself is bought separately, from the store. There is no per-device or per-guest fee. Splash editor, reports, mailing lists, data limits, and the store sit in the same plan.
Do I pay for guest devices?
No. You pay for controller slots, not for phones, laptops, or how many people sign in on the splash page. Hardware is bought separately.
How do I get a MikroTik onto WiFi Sphere?
Give the router internet on WAN, create the network in the portal with its serial and RouterOS version, then paste the generated script in the MikroTik terminal. Check-in should go online, then the controller deploys guest LAN, RADIUS, hotspot, and Wi-Fi over API.
Which RouterOS versions work?
RouterOS 6 and RouterOS 7. You pick the version when you create the network so the paste script and Wi-Fi menus match the router.
What ports does the router need?
The router needs outbound HTTPS to the portal, plus outbound RADIUS (UDP 1812 and 1813). If a modem sits in front, forward TCP 8729 (API-SSL) to the MikroTik so the controller can finish deploy. Check-in can still report without that forward.
Can I design my own guest splash page?
Yes. Each network has a splash editor for the Connect form, extra pages, buttons, QR codes, menus, ratings, and image or video backgrounds. You can save designs as templates and reuse pages from the splash library.
How do guests sign in?
The MikroTik hotspot sends people to your splash pages. They finish on Connect, fill in the fields you chose, and go online. You can require an email verification link before they connect. Returning guests use the same sign-up.
What reports can I download?
Reports show sessions, new and returning guests, and splash activity for a date range. You can download CSV or PDF when you have permission. Mailing lists can email those reports on a schedule.
Can I limit how much data a guest uses?
Yes. A daily data limit, off by default, caps each guest’s upload plus download for that day and resets at 1:00 Europe/London. You can let guests buy extra data for today with Stripe or PayPal.
What is child-safe DNS?
An optional Network setting. When it is on, guest DNS goes to Cloudflare for Families (1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3) and devices cannot use their own DNS. The splash page still works.
Can I buy a MikroTik from WiFi Sphere?
Yes. The portal Store sells UK-stock MikroTik boards. The plan does not include a free router: you buy the board separately. You can order them as they ship, or pre-configured for WiFi Sphere. Delivery is 14 working days.
Can I delete a network?
Networks are archived rather than deleted. Archive disables the guest splash and frees a MikroTik slot. Reports stay available. Unarchive brings the splash back if you have a slot.
Where do I sign in?
The controller lives at portal.wifisphere.co.uk. This site (wifisphere.co.uk) is the public website. Sign-in links in email always open the portal.
Who runs WiFi Sphere?
WiFi Sphere is a LongDog Labs product. Longdog Labs Limited is registered in Scotland (SC885356). Write to [email protected]. Addresses on wifisphere.co.uk are only for automated notices, magic sign-in links, and WiFi customer verification.
Do you use the details guests type on the splash page?
No. LongDog Labs stores guest splash and session records so the network owner can see them in the portal. We do not use that information for our own marketing. The venue that runs the Wi-Fi is responsible for it. See Privacy for the full split.
How do I get help?
Use the Support how-tos on this site. They match the guides inside the portal. When you are signed in to the controller, live chat is also available on those pages.