Capturing URL requests...redirecting to a default page

[rhunter007]

My first post...

How do web developers create default web pages that you (as a user) are delivered to no matter which URL you request?

I have seen such things in hotels that offer in-room internet access, and airports over WiFi.

To take the WiFi example, you connect to the wireless network, launch your web browser, type in a URL, and bam, you get re-directed to an informational web page. From here you usually have to "log in" so they, for example, can begin charging you for web access.

My eventual goal is an open wireless intranet in which anybody can access our wireless network, but no matter what they do, they are brought to a particular page where they have to have a company id/password to access actual intranet content.

Thanks for any pointers/advice you can give me.

[khalidali63]

typically this is how its doen,evey page in a particular domain whenuser tries to access validates some information that is passed forward from the login page( if user logs in) other wise this info is not with the page(commonly with url/a session object stored in db or a cookie)
then the page will redirect/forward the user to a specific page(login page)..

I hope this helps

Khalid

[rhunter007]

Thanks for the reply.

But how is the redirection done?

For example, at Minneapolis Airport, if I log on to their wireless network and type "www.google.com" in a web browser, I will be redirected to some Minn. Airport page.

Obviously, I can't modify google to make this change. :)

Thanks.

[khalidali63]

I think what you are talking about is completely network based setting,it definitley has to do with there WiFi connection settings,I know that in WiFi cards there is a seting that if a connectionis made fromotherthen trusted WiFi cards then they do not allow it and redirection aftr that is not a big problem.

lol
I'd say "buy" WiFi router and read through the settings for it you will find your answer

Khalid

[Nevermore]

On a WiFi routre, you can often specify a splash screen to display when people try to use the network, what IP addresses to apply it to, and whether to let them to their intended page afterward.