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Router MI424WR - Device Names to MAC Addresses Question

I have Verizon FiOS with an ActionTec MI424WR Router. I have many devices connected to it on our home network: ipods, ipads, nook, kindles, laptop, roku, and a desktop.

For each device, I found its MAC address. Then I logged into the router and went to "My Network." There, I renamed each device (for example, from "android-alsdfjl3kljasdf" to "JonKindle" and "new-host-4" to "MaryIpad"). That way, I'll be able to go to the parental controls rules screen and assign each device to rules as I like.

Problem:

The names keep changing back to "android-alsdfjl3kljasdf" and "new-host-4". Not only that, but somehow, the MAC addresses keep changing. Is there a way to keep that from happening?

I thought MAC addresses were assigned to a piece of hardward and didn't change. Can someone please enlighten me?

Thanks,

smy

Comments

dslr595148

I am not sure of what you should do to fix your issue, but I can you that

#1 Regardless of the type of encryption (Wireless encryption types include WEP, WPA, WPA2) MAC Address(es) are always sent in the clear!

#2 Not only it is possible to spoof/clone a MAC address in a NAT router..

For example as noted as shown at http://ui.linksys.com/files/WRT54G/v8/8.00.0/WanMAC.htm

..it is also possible to spoof/clone the MAC Address on a computer!

#3 If an attacker user does not know how to spoof/clone a MAC address without encryption: While they can not use your network, they can see what you are doing!

gs0b

@smy wrote:
Problem:
The names keep changing back to "android-alsdfjl3kljasdf" and "new-host-4". Not only that, but somehow, the MAC addresses keep changing. Is there a way to keep that from happening?

I thought MAC addresses were assigned to a piece of hardward and didn't change. Can someone please enlighten me?

The trick to make the [name, MAC address] permanent is to assign a static DHCP lease to each device. Otherwise, when the lease expires and the device is no longer active, the router forgets everything about it.

As for changing MAC address, you are correct, they shouldn't change.

If you have multiple "Android-xxx" devices they may be coming up in a different order, thus creating the appearance of changing addresses. Make a list of every active MAC address and attempt to correlate it to your devices. The next time you think one changed, look and see if it's on your list.

MAC addresses can be changed by the user on some devices, however this is typically only done to "play" with a network or circumvent security features.

Good Luck.

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