The appliance likely uses DHCP by default. For production RADIUS, a static IP is mandatory.
Run:
nano /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml
(Adjust for your OS version) or use ifconfig. Set a static IP, gateway, and DNS.
The radiusdesk-2022-a1.ova file is a pre-configured Virtual Machine (VM) image designed to provide a "ready-to-use" environment for RADIUSdesk, an open-source web-based management platform for wireless hotspots.
This specific .ova version represents a 2022 snapshot of the software stack, typically used for testing, development, or rapid deployment on hypervisors like VirtualBox or VMware. 1. Core System Components
The VM integrates several key technologies to create a complete network management solution:
FreeRADIUS: The engine behind the system, handling world-leading authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA). radiusdesk-2022-a1.ova
CakePHP (v4): Acts as the "engine room," processing data before it reaches the user interface.
ExtJS/JavaScript: Powers the modern, responsive web dashboard (the presentation layer).
Nginx/Apache: Serves as the web server for the management interface and captive portals.
MariaDB/MySQL: Stores user data, vouchers, and network configurations. 2. Key Features of the 2022 Environment
RADIUSdesk is designed to manage various network types, from small hotspots to large mesh networks:
User & Voucher Management: Create permanent users or time-limited vouchers for guests. The appliance likely uses DHCP by default
Bandwidth & Data Control: Implement per-user or per-device bandwidth limits and data usage caps (e.g., monthly 10GB limit).
Captive Portals: Centralized management of dynamic login pages with support for social logins (Facebook, etc.).
MESHdesk & APdesk: Advanced applets for managing OpenWrt-based mesh networks and enterprise access points.
Visual Analytics: Real-time monitoring with detailed usage graphs for trend analysis and capacity planning. 3. Operational Credentials (Default)
Standard virtual machine images for RADIUSdesk typically use the following default access credentials: Access Type Web Interface (Admin) root admin Administering the RADIUSdesk platform Linux OS (SSH/Terminal) system admin System-level maintenance of the Ubuntu VM Captive Portal (Test User) dvdwalt dvdwalt Testing internet access for end-users 4. Deployment Considerations
Hardware Freedom: Prevents vendor lock-in by supporting various hardware, including those with up to three radios. (Adjust for your OS version) or use ifconfig
Scalability: While the basic version is free, versions with licensed mesh functionality for up to 30 access points are available for enterprise needs.
Skills Required: To effectively use and maintain the VM, users should be comfortable with TCP/IP networking, Linux terminal commands, and basic text editing. products [RADIUSdesk]
The radiusdesk-2022-a1.ova is a pre-configured Virtual Machine image, based on FreeRADIUS, designed for rapid deployment of the RADIUSdesk open-source Wi-Fi management solution. It features a LEMP stack, CakePHP v4 engine, and built-in tools for MESHdesk and APdesk management. Find detailed setup instructions at SourceForge. Getting Started - RADIUSdesk
Deploy as a central RADIUS proxy that forwards EAP-TLS requests to Active Directory (via LDAP) while locally handling guest hotspot accounts.
From the command line of the VM, use:
radtest testuser testpass localhost 0 testing123
A reply of Access-Accept confirms the server is working.
This section walks you through importing radiusdesk-2022-a1.ova into VMware ESXi (since it's the most common production hypervisor).
Define bandwidth limits, VLAN ID, simultaneous logins, and session timeouts under Profiles.