How to Set Up Guest Wi-Fi (DNS-Based)

Our Guest Wi-Fi features allow you to offer a custom-branded portal for guests to access Wi-Fi during their stay.

This option only prompts the first guest for their contact details and provides access for an entire group. All future users are not prompted for details and get Wi-Fi access.

Our DNS-Based Guest Wi-Fi option allows you to use any existing standard router and equipment to easily set up Wi-Fi for your guests. It’s a great alternative if you’ve experienced stability issues with the hardware version or want an easier setup process.

You only need to change the DNS settings on your router to redirect guests to a login page.

To set up Guest Wi-Fi, it’s important to note that technical knowledge is necessary here as you will need to log into your Wi-Fi router or ISP router.

Otherwise, we highly recommend talking with someone who is knowledgeable with this before you proceed.  

On the other hand, to get the functionality that forces every user to authenticate, you must use dedicated access points that are built to handle the traffic. This is where our commercial access point Wi-Fi can be a good option instead for Ubiquiti, NETGEAR, and TP-Link devices (TP-Link Omada Access Point to be added in Spring 2026).

When to Use a DNS-Based Wi-Fi Setup

That said, the DNS-based Wi-Fi solution is best for Wi-Fi networks that are NOT shared across multiple listings. In other words, we do not recommend setting DNS-based Wi-Fi up for hotels, hostels or any properties where individual rooms are rented.

In the case of DNS-based Wi-Fi and remarketing (an apsect of this feature that we provide in the Jervis Systems dashboard), we show the contact details for only a single guest per reservation, given that DNS-based Wi-Fi setups prompt the first person to log in, while all other guests will have access following that.

It’s also important to clarify that you cannot use the same Wi-Fi equipment for routers that will not allow you to have separate DNS settings for the primary network and guest network.

Depending on the home router manufacturer, some brands will allow you to have separate DNS settings for your primary network and your guest network.
​
In this scenario, you don’t have to create a permanent user or make changes for your primary network. It will function as normal without requiring your admin users/staff to log in like guests do. On the network where you change the DNS settings, all networks using those DNS server settings will be required to log in. (On the other hand, know that if you create a permanent user, this will keep the Wi-Fi always open and on and your guests will not get prompted to log in.)

We generally recommend separating out your equipment for guest networks versus your home network. You can check out our guide here for this.

For example, if you are using an eero device (as shown in our connection walkthrough below for DNS setting setup), you likely already have a primary network router provided by your ISP that the main eero hub was plugged into.

You can use the eero network for your guests and your ISP provided router for your primary network for admin staff.

Best Practices to Consider Before Setup

In short, we recommend considering the following before setup:

• It’s best to setup a separate network for Guest Wi-Fi and change the DNS settings specifically for that network. You can check out our guide here for more details and setup.
• In setup, best practice is requiring a password to connect to the network. This can be something simple like your property name.
• Only put devices on the guest network that guests should be allowed to use (i.e. TVs), and not locks, thermostats, or other devices you want to keep more secure at your property.
• For ease of setup, NETGEAR access points are highly recommended.
• Do not use DNS-based Wi-Fi for listings that use a shared Wi-Fi network. Consider commercial-based guest Wi-Fi instead.

What to Know About Default Configuration for Wi-Fi Settings

You can do this for individual or multiple listings.

In the case of multiple listings, you can configure separate Captive Portal settings for each listing.

You can access this from Add-Ons < Guest Wi-Fi < Guest Wi-Fi Settings.

With this functionality, guests staying at different resorts can be shown different welcome messages, logos, marketing consent text, and related portal settings.

Default Configuration represents the general Captive Portal settings used across all listings.

If a listing does not have its own custom settings, the system automatically uses the Default Configuration when a guest accesses the Captive Portal.

This helps maintain compatibility while also providing a reliable fallback configuration for new or unconfigured listings.

You can override the Default Configuration for any listing when needed.

To do this, select the relevant listing on the Guest Wi-Fi Settings page and update the settings specifically for that listing.

Examples of settings that can be customized per listing include:

• Logo
• Welcome message
• Guest information fields
• Marketing consent text
• Redirection URL

Once custom settings are saved for a listing, that listing will use its own Captive Portal settings instead of the Default Configuration.

This makes it possible to show different branding, messages, or redirect behavior for different resorts, hotels, or other properties.

See the section below on how to set up DNS-Based Wi-Fi for more details on the guest Wi-Fi settings.

Resetting to Default Configuration

If you no longer want to use custom settings for a specific listing, you can use the Reset to default configuration link.

This action clears the custom Captive Portal settings for the selected listing.

After resetting, the listing will automatically use the Default Configuration again.

How to Set Up DNS-Based Wi-Fi

1. You can access the Guest Wi-Fi feature through the Add-Ons menu option in Jervis Systems. Under the DNS Information tab, you’ll find our DNS server information and IPs.

2. Setup requires changing the DNS setting for your guest Wi-Fi network on your existing devices and equipment. This varies based on the vendor and type of equipment. (We include an example for eero below.) Our team can help assist through a Support Request to provide insight on the steps needed to change the DNS settings on your Wi-Fi network. However, we cannot guarantee the ability to source and provide guides for all router types.

3. You can customize your form for guests under the Guest Wi-Fi Settings tab. See the section below for more details.
   
4. Upload your logo and set a welcome message that guests will see when they view the login portal.

5. Input the marketing consent text that you want displayed to the user. For example, adding text like the following: I understand that my information may be used to send me direct booking offers in the future. I can unsubscribe by contacting my listing host.
6. You can also set a redirection URL. Once a guest logs in, they will be redirected to a page of your choice.

7. Finally, you can choose which custom form fields you want to include from the provided options (first name, last name, email, and the guest’s phone number).

8. Guests will access Wi-Fi from the portal. They will be automatically redirected when attempting to log in and will be asked to authenticate using their last name and the SET PIN code associated with their reservation (similar to accessing Wi-Fi at a hotel). After they authenticate, they will be asked to enter their information (first name, last name, email address, phone number). 

NOTE:  Please keep in mind that the portal will only work from networks that have devices configured for Guest Wi-Fi access. Otherwise, you will get a message that the website cannot be reached.  

9. After a guest accesses the Wi-Fi, Jervis Systems will create an entry under the Guest Wi-Fi Users tab.

10. You can select View form details for each guest for more information.

11. To obtain a list of guests and their contact information, you can navigate to the Marketing Information tab. This page allows you to pull a CSV file that you can upload to your email service provider. (We are currently working on integrations with Constant Contact and MailChimp to import this information directly.)

How to Change DNS Settings

To change settings, you will need to log into your Wi-Fi router or ISP router. The first two steps shown below will not involve the Jervis Systems app.

While equipment varies in how you access and change settings, below is an example of how this works for eero.

1. For this specific example, you would navigate to the Network Settings tab in the eero app.

2. Select the option for the DNS settings.

3. Select the option for Custom DNS. The IP addresses here will require you to navigate to your Jervis dashboard under Add-ons < Guest Wi-Fi < DNS Information and copy the Primary and Secondary DNS server IP addresses.

Need additional help and support? Check out the additional user guides on our FAQ page. You can also get help by submitting a Support Request via your Jervis Systems dashboard.