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Forum Discussion
boston_mama
Dec 17, 2021Guide
RBR750 SHOWING DEVICES i DON'T RECOGNIZE
I installed the new Orbi system and when I go into devices, I see all my regular devices but there are these two items that I don't recognize. What are they? Not sure why my photos aren't showing. ...
boston_mama
Dec 17, 2021Guide
plemans When I go to the list on my browser, only the DEV-72:23 shows up but there is no information for me to figure out what it is. And the other DEV item (the one that says it's a network) isn't on the browser but I can still see it on my orbi app.
CrimpOn
Dec 17, 2021Guru - Experienced User
boston_mama wrote:
plemans When I go to the list on my browser, only the DEV-72:23 shows up but there is no information for me to figure out what it is. And the other DEV item (the one that says it's a network) isn't on the browser but I can still see it on my orbi app.
On the Attached Devices page, there is a column titled "MAC Address". That value can be entered into a web site that has a database of manufacturer codes, such as this one: https://www.wireshark.org/tools/oui-lookup.html
What you should see is that the "Device Name" has been created by joining "DEV-" and the last part of the MAC address.
If the web site comes back with "manufacturer unknown", that is why we have a fixation on products which have an option to disguise the true MAC address with a fake one. Apple is the most obvious, but Android devices and several brands of laptops do the same thing.
For interesting reading, do an internet search on "MAC address randomization". There will be hits such as this one:
The device has a type of "Network" because that is the default type for something the Orbi cannot look up.
I do not know how long a device will remain visible in the app after is has disconnected from the network. (unlike ethernet clients which have a physical connection, WiFi clients can just stop sending packets and the router does not know if they have 'gone' or are just being quiet. My thermostat used to 'disappear' from Attached Devices. If I would open the Nest app, then it would appear again.)