Overview

Alta Labs Control allows administrators to create schedules that control when a wireless client can access the network and when content-filtering policies are applied.

This can be useful for:

• Limiting Internet access for specific devices during certain hours.
• Setting Internet access schedules for children or guests.
• Applying content restrictions during specific times.
• Allowing unrestricted Internet access during business or permitted hours.
• Applying different schedules to different clients.

This article explains how to create and assign schedules for wireless clients and Content Filter profiles.

Before You Begin

Make sure that:

• You have administrator access to the Alta Labs Control site.
• The wireless client is connected to an Alta Labs Access Point.
• The desired site is available in Alta Labs Control.
• The Access Point is online and communicating with Alta Labs Control.
• You know the days and times when the restriction should apply.
   

Client Schedules

1. Create a Schedule

A Schedule Profile defines the days and times during which a specific policy should apply.

Steps:

1. Log in to Alta Labs Control.
2. Select the desired Site.
3. Navigate to the Settings > Networks > Schedules section.
4. Click Add.
5. Enter a descriptive name for the schedule.
6. Select the Turn On
7. Select the Start and End times for the desired days.
8. To save the schedule, click Add.

Example:

To allow a device to access the Internet from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday, configure:

Use a descriptive name such as:

School Day Schedule

Clear schedule names make it easier to identify the correct policy when managing multiple clients.

2. Assign a Schedule to a Client

A client schedule allows you to control Internet access for an individual wireless device without affecting other devices connected to the same SSID.

Steps:

1. Open Alta Labs Control.
2. Select the desired Site.
3. In the Devices tab, locate and select the wireless client.
4. Click the icon to open the settings.
5. Locate the Schedule option.
6. Select the Schedule Profile (created in Part 1) in the drop down list.
7. Save the configuration.

The client will follow the configured schedule.

Example:

A customer has the following devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network:

• Parent's laptop
• Parent's phone
• Child's tablet
• Smart TV

If a schedule is assigned only to the Child's Tablet, the schedule applies to it rather than the entire SSID.

This allows administrators to control individual devices without disrupting other users.

Content Filter Schedule 

1. Create a Scheduled Wireless Content Filter

Content Filtering allows administrators to restrict access to selected applications, application categories, websites, or domains. This is available on Alta Labs Access Points, with no dependency on any specific router.

A Filter Profile can also be associated with a schedule so that filtering rules are active only during specified times.

Steps:

1. Open Alta Labs Control.
2. Select the desired Site.
3. Navigate to Settings > Filter > Wireless.
4. Add a new Filter Profile or edit an existing profile.
5. Assign the Schedule Profile.
6. Configure the desired filtering rules.
7. Save the configuration by clicking Add/Save & close the window.

Example:

Suppose a customer wants to allow their child's tablet to access the Internet but restrict social media and other selected content during certain hours.

Create a Filter Profile such as:

Filter Profile: Evening Restrictions

Configure the following:

• Application restrictions
• Application categories
• Blocked domains or hosts

Then assign a schedule such as:

Monday–Friday: 18:00–21:00

During the scheduled period, the configured filtering rules will apply.

2. Assign a scheduled content Filter to a Client

A scheduled content filter allows you to control content access for an individual wireless device without affecting other devices connected to the same SSID for a particular schedule.

Steps:

1. Open Alta Labs Control.
2. Select the desired Site.
3. In the Devices tab, locate and select the wireless client.
4. Click the icon to open the settings.
5. Locate the Filter option.
6. Select the Filter Profile (created in Part 3) in the drop down list.
7. Save the configuration.

The client will follow the configured schedule.

Example:

A customer has the following devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network:

• Parent's laptop
• Parent's phone
• Child's tablet
• Smart TV

If a scheduled content filter is assigned only to the Child's Tablet, the filter applies to it rather than the entire SSID.

This allows administrators to control individual devices without disrupting other users.

Request Access in Schedules

Enable the request feature under Schedules to let clients request access outside their scheduled hours. Administrators can then review, approve, or deny each request.

The client which has been restricted will see a page like this and will have a Request Access option.

The Admins will see a request in the notifications and will have option to allow the Client to access for 15 minutes, 2 Hours or The rest of today or Deny.

Client Schedule vs. Content Filter Schedule

It is important to understand the difference between the two types of schedules.

Which one should I use?

Use Case: "I don't want this device to have Internet access after 9 PM."

Use: Client Schedule

Use Case: "I want the device to have Internet access, but don't want it to access social media after 6 PM."

Use: Content Filter Schedule

Use Case: "I want the device to have Internet access only during specific hours and also block selected websites."

Use: Client Schedule together with the appropriate Content Filter configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule Internet access for only one client?

Yes. A client-specific schedule can be used to control Internet access for an individual wireless client without applying the same restriction to every device on the SSID.

Can I schedule content filtering?

Yes. Content Filter profiles can be configured with schedules so that the filtering policy is applied during defined periods.

Does a client schedule affect other devices on the same Wi-Fi network?

No. A schedule assigned specifically to a client applies to that client rather than automatically affecting other clients on the SSID.

Can I use a client schedule and content filtering together?

Yes. These address different requirements. A client schedule controls when the client can access the Internet, while content filtering controls the applications, categories, or domains that are restricted.

What should I check if a schedule does not activate?

Start by checking the site time zone, schedule days/times, client or filter assignment, and any configured bypass or exception.