Router MAC confusion

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Rickles

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#208195 31-Jan-2017 15:56

I am using a Netgear wifi router.

As usual, there is an Access Control option invoked by a tick-box .... this is the usual MAC control seen in most routers.

However, there is also a setting called Access Rule, which has two options, namely Allow New Devices To Connect and Block All New Devices From Connecting.

Further, either option can be selected at the same time as invoking Access Control.

So - would not invoking Access Control do the same job as the Block All rule?

Would not having Allow Access Control on as well as Allow New Devices contradict each other?

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Hammerer

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#1713361 31-Jan-2017 16:35

If Access Control is not turned on then there are no rules operating.

E.g.

Select the Turn on Access Control check box.
You must select this check box before you can specify an access rule and use the Allow and Block buttons. When this check box is cleared, all devices are allowed to connect, even if a device is in the blocked list.

ubergeeknz

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Vocus

#1713363 31-Jan-2017 16:39

IF I had to guess, that option might create an ACL based on the currently connected devices.

Behodar

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#1713437 31-Jan-2017 17:09

It sounds like it configures the default permissions for previously-unseen devices. Do you want new devices to automatically get access, or would you prefer them to be blocked until explicitly added?

Which you choose will depend on whether you're setting up access control as a way of securing your network (in which case you probably want all new devices blocked), or whether you're trying to block a specific device (in which case other devices can have free rein).

Rickles

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#1713449 31-Jan-2017 17:39

OK guys, thanks for your views. This is a small office set up and they want some form of security in addition to wifi passwords (never mind the arguments for/against MAC control etc), and the Netgear does that for both wireless and wired devices.

By and large it works fine, but they have now added a wifi Access Point (cabled to router port) that provides a second tier of wifi access that itself has a separate password ... usual stuff really where some staff have access to primary wifi and network, others are allowed access only through the secondary/guest wifi.

The AP is seen by the router (yes, it shows up as a device), and is allowed access .... HOWEVER, any device connecting to the AP for some reason gets blocked by the router! Usually, I believe, the AP simply acts as a conduit to the internet/network without any hindrances ... maybe that was for earlier model AP's?