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Aircard 785 - problem with dynamic MAC address
The device is programmed to present different MAC address (dynamically allocated) on WiFi interface. Below arp result, address changes on each restart:
arp - a
192.168.1.1 9a-09-09-fc-c3-97 dynamic
192.168.1.255 ff-ff-ff-ff-ff-ff static
This is causing annoying behavior in Windows - the system connects to the WiFi network, but asks each time for the type of network - Public, Work or Home. This is extremely annoying. There is an option to instruct Windows to remember / treat the network as Public for all future attempts, but this has obvious drawbacks:
- does not work well for people who want other than Public network type
- Windows is creating registry entry for each subsequent connection to this WiFi network - and is adding a sequence number at the end ot network name - you may see this in the registry and on the taskbar - after first connection, the profile name is "SSID_name 1", in second "SSID_name 2", and so on...this is creating garbage in the registry.
I find it a serious bug and would not have bought the device if I knew about this "feature".
Does Netgear have any plans to fix this in next firmware updates?
I replaced Netgear with other LTE mobile router and sold the Aircard on web auction.
No problem with changing network name anymore, it has more features (e.g. sms sending, USSD codes support).
Problem solved.
10 Replies
Hello Ac_001
Are you on the latest firmware I believe we just released a new one not to long ago for this device. Also you may want to try a factory reset and see if this behavior continues let me know if so Ill have it investigated further.
DarrenM
Hi Darren,
First of all, thanks for reply and understanding. Online support took a while to understand my issue and later said "Since Windows is creating these registry entries or keeps asking you, then it is a Windows problem, not ours".
Definitely not a proper response, given also that other routers like D-Link DWR-730 that I used before, or newest DWR-932 that my friend uses do not have such issues.
Responding to your question - I am constantly checking for updates and when you recently released newer firmware, I was hoping it would fix my issue - I downloaded it and upgraded instantly.
My current firmware is:
FW Version: NTG9X25A_02.08.00.51
FW Build Date: 05/04/15
Web App Version: AC785S-1_03.03.58.06C
Bootloader Version: NTG9X25A_02.08.00.51
Hardware Version: 1.0Unfortunately, the problem remains.
What's strange, is that on web administration page under WiFi Detals I can see router MAC Address:E8-FC-AF-B9-8F-3D, whereas arp -a returns (after todays boot, next time will be different of course):
192.168.1.1 2e-8d-ee-16-fc-63 dynamic
On Windows taskbar I can see WiFi profile displaying as <<my network name>>_129 (so Windows already registered 129 different MAC router addresses for my Aircard.
To add more information, I have checked and confirmed that the problem occurs on 2 other Windows machines, not only my PC (all Windows 7).
Steps to replicate:
1. set up WiFi network on the router (I use WPA2 authentication)
2. connect to the network from Windows, choose network type (Home/Work/Public)
3. On Windows taskbar network name displayed when hovered by mouse is "SSID" where SSID is your chosen network name
4. reboot the router
5. connect to router again (Windows remembers WiFi password and doesn't ask for it but will ask again for network type - choose it again)
6. On the taskbar network name displayed when hovered by mouse is "SSID 2" where SSID is your chosen network name
The number from point six above increments after each router reboot (3, 4, 5... and so on).
Would be great if you replicated and corrected the issue in the firmware. I do look forward to it.
Regards,
Adam
Hello ac_001
Yes Im going pass this issue on to be investigated to see if we can replicate the issue and look for a fix. Let me know if you have any more issues or concerns with the 785.
DarrenM
