The campus WiFi Authentication & Billing system is operating with an inevitable downtime. Users forget to pay, have insufficient balances, and have a month's notice due, the system automatically monitors and executes the downtime. But the shutdown is not simply off-grid, it is bad for users: video conferencing is being cut off, document transfers are half out, users are not aware of why they cannot access it. A elegant down/reply mechanism that ensures that operators do not lose revenue and that users have clear perceptions and easy ways of recovering.
Timing and modalities of late fee testing
The first is the expiration of a month/day user, which automatically monitors the maturity of an account at the time when it expires. The second is the short flow/hour user balance, which is reduced in real time to zero hours during its use. The V7 system supports real-time billing, the users send intermediary reports at intervals on the Internet, the system reduces costs in real time and the balance immediately breaks off to AC or BRAS through RADIUS CoA (Chhange of Administration). The CoA is a key technology for downtime, and it does not need to wait for the user ' s next authentication, so that online users can be kicked off-line in real time.
We can't stop without the alarms.
The user cannot afford to break the network directly and must be warned in advance. SMS alerts are sent three days before the month's user is due, informing of the maturity and how it will be renewed; one more reminder is sent one day before the due date. By 80% of traffic, again 95%. By less than one hour of service. By a reminder, because users may still be able to access the Internet but soon be cut off, text messages can ensure delivery. V7 supports the SMS notification function by providing templates for and timing of the expiration alarm, balance alarm, flow alert. Don't just send it."You're in arrears."The user doesn't know how to handle it.
Redirectional orientation when the plane is down
The user is not completely off the grid, but instead re-directs all HTTP requests to the late fee alert page. The amount due, maturity time, 2D renewal (micromail/bouch) and customer service calls are shown on the page. After user-scanneling fees, system autorepunators do not need to be connected again to WiFi. This redirection mechanism and Portal authentication are similar in their re-direction, but they have different content: the authentication page is for users to log in and the outstanding page is for users to pay. Attention is drawn to the re-orientation of HTTPS websites, which, like Portal certification, cannot be directly redirected and users are directed to visit the HTTP website or rely on system CNA for automatic detection.
Automation of the re-entry process
The user pays the fees to be able to restart the system without calling a client to start it manually. Autocommation: Applied Replies process: users pay the overdue page sweep, pay the platform callback to notify V7 system for payment, system updates the account of the user are normal and send a request for recertification through RADIFUS CoA to AC or Bras, AC switch the user from the outstanding VLAN to the normal VLAN, and the user returns to the Internet. The entire process usually takes 30 seconds from completion of payments to restoration of access. V7 supports the automatic repeater and automatically triggers coA recertification after payment has been successful. If CoA fails (e.g. AC does not support CoA), the user needs to disconnect WiFi and re-certify it. To state on the bill page that if you do not return automatically, break WiFi again.
Design of grace period
Not all outstanding charges are stopped immediately, and a grace period can enhance user experience. After the month-end, a one to three day grace period is granted, which allows users to access the Internet but at a limited speed (e.g. down to 1Mbps) while often reminding contributors. The end of the grace period has not been paid again. The benefit of the grace period is to avoid sudden interruptions due to travel, forgetting, etc., giving users time for remedial measures. But the grace period cannot be too long, otherwise it becomes a default habit for users and impairs operator income. Flows within the grace period are routinely charged and charges within the grace period when users pay their fees are cleared.
White list of the shutdowns and exceptions
Some users cannot be shut down for non-payment: the enterprise ' s flat-paying employee accounts (the fees are paid monthly by the enterprise and the operator, not in advance to individuals), government or public service areas ' free WiFi accounts, special accounts for peacekeeping operations. These account numbers are added to the white list and they skip when the charges are tested. V7 supports the use of default stopups by user group settings, business employees, operators can close the payout, individual users, visitors. Attention is also drawn to a free experience, new users register for one hour of free experience, do not trigger a down payment during the experience, automate the shutdown after the experience and channel contributions.
Failed to reset
Automatic resets may fail for common reasons: AC does not support RADIFUS CoA, the CoA reports are blocked by firewalls, user sessions on AC are outdated, network is interrupted. User pays but cannot access the network when the recommences fail, and complaints are highest."Disconnect WiFi if it is not restored within 30 seconds after the payment of contributions", a self-help recovery method for users. Second, the system automatically textes the user when it detects failure and contains reconnection guidelines and phone calls. Third, the passenger backstage has to have a manual repeater button that triggers a recertification once the client receives a telephone call. Fourth, the success rate of CoA is regularly checked, with an AC configuration and network problem being screened at less than 95%.
Operational data on downtime
Data on downtime reflect the operational status. V7 allows for statistics: monthly downtime, terminal rates, average downtime, grace period usage and recovery success rate. These data help operators to optimize their strategy: if the downtime rate is low, it indicates that reminders are insufficient or fee-incurred; if the average downtime is long, it describes the process; if the grace period is high, it means that users are used to pay a premium in the grace period, a reduction of the grace period can be considered.
The campus WiFi Authentication & Billing system has a downtime and re-entry core of early alerts to autoback plus user perception. Two SMS reminders three days before expiry and one day after the shutdown, redirecting to the contributory page, automatic recovery within 30 seconds of payment, extension time for user remedial time, white list protection special account numbers, failure of the re-run with self-help and manual drizzle."Suddenly the net was off."Changed"I'm aware, guided and easily recovered."The process, the user experience and the operator ' s income are also guaranteed.