Sponsor Validation is a feature that allows an end-user to get access to the Internet after being authorized by a "sponsor".
Cloud4Wi has completely redesigned this workflow, replacing legacy One-Time Internet Plans with an intuitive, timestamp-based validity window. Instead of managing complex internet plans, administrators now define global guardrails, and sponsors simply select how long a guest is allowed to stay online. Once approved, the guest receives unrestricted internet access until their validation window expires.
This solution is ideal for corporate offices, travel agencies, job recruitment agencies, etc.
Cloud4Wi Dashboard Configuration
To configure the sponsor approval workflow, navigate to Guest Wi-Fi > Setup > Login Profiles, open your active profile, and click on the Advanced tab.
1. Select the Sponsor Validation Mode
Locate the Sponsor validation setting and choose one of the three available operational modes:
Single Sponsor: A single, centralized corporate email address receives and manages all guest access requests for the location.
Multi Sponsor: Guests can nominate any individual host as their sponsor. You must specify the authorized corporate domains allowed to grant access (e.g.,
company.com, enterprise.ai), separated by commas.Select list of sponsors: The administrator uploads a closed, designated roster of internal employees who are exclusively authorized to approve guests.
2. Define Maximum Access Duration
As a global administrative guardrail, you must define the Maximum Access Duration. This parameter sets the absolute ceiling for guest access, preventing internal hosts from accidentally granting indefinite or excessively long network privileges.
The Captive Portal Guest Experience
The updated user interface focuses on clarity and reducing user anxiety while waiting for network access.
Sponsor Nomination: During the registration or sign-in process on the Splash Page homepage, the guest fills out their required fields and inputs their host's professional email address.
Dedicated Waiting Screen: Immediately after clicking submit, the captive portal redirects the guest to a dedicated waiting screen. This standalone screen clearly informs the user that their request has been successfully dispatched and is pending host approval.
Host Corrections: If the guest notices a typo or needs to nominate a different host, they can click the Go back button on the waiting screen to update the sponsor's email address. Doing so automatically invalidates the approval link sent to the previous host.
How Sponsors Approve Access
When a guest submits the form, the nominated internal host immediately receives a message in their inbox asking them to click on a Manage request link.
Clicking the link opens a secure, streamlined interface directly in their web browser, as shown in the interface layout of the reference file unnamed111.png.
To validate the guest, the sponsor completes a quick, two-step action on this screen:
Select an Access Duration: The sponsor chooses an expiration window using the quick-selection radio buttons (ranging from Today up to 180 Days). Alternatively, they can click Select a date... to open a calendar widget and set a custom date, provided it falls within the maximum parameter allowed by the network administrator.
Instant Review & Accept: The interface displays a real-time preview of the exact date and timestamp when the guest's connection will automatically terminate (e.g., Access expires: 23:59).
Once the sponsor clicks the Accept button, the background restriction is lifted instantly. The guest's dedicated waiting screen refreshes automatically, and they are logged onto the Wi-Fi network with full internet privileges until the exact expiration timestamp is reached.
Backward Compatibility & Transition
Note for Legacy Users:
Guests who are already registered and operating under a legacy Internet Plan will remain fully authorized and can continue to go online normally until their current plan expires.
Once their legacy plan reaches its expiration date, any subsequent connection or renewal requests will automatically trigger and follow the newly updated Sponsor Validation workflow.