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Forum Discussion
RBS850 Access Control not unblocking properly
I have an RBR850 and 2 RBS850s running V7.2.7.15. I use access controls to limit the devices that can connect by MAC address. When I add a new device to the network, as expected it shows up as blocked. I change it to allowed, save, and reload the page to confirm it took. Even when it then shows allowed, it is not acting that way—all access is blocked. I am forced to solve this by temporarily turning off access control, allowing network traffic to flow to/from the device, and then turning access control back on. Once it is back on, access control works properly and the newly allowed device works as expected.
anyone else seeing this? Is that expected functionality or a bug?
2 Replies
How are you adding the device to the system?
What device are you adding to the system?
How are you managing Access Controls? Orbi app or router web page?
Does this work or help any? Configuring Access Controls on Orbi router WEB Page FAQ | NETGEAR Communities
Usually connecting a new device to the system, Access Control doesn't block the device. It has full access by default. You have to go in and then add it it to the block list.
Be sure to disable any MAC Address randomizers on phones and pads while at home:
https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-orbi-knowledge-sharing/netgear-mobile-applications-and-androidapplewindows-devices-faq/2457046Has a factory reset and setup from scratch been performed since last FW update?
Usually connecting a new device to the system, Access Control doesn't block the device. It has full access by default. You have to go in and then add it it to the block list
On my Orbi routers, the user defines what happens to new devices when they connect:
Perhaps the 850 is different, but I doubt it.
I would offer to test "what happens", but my practice is to leave Access Control turned OFF. (I never see posts on the Forum extolling how great it is to have this feature.)
Also, being Blocked in Access Control does not stop a device from connecting to the network. If a device is connected with an Ethernet cable, it is definitely "connected". If a WiFi device offers up the correct password, it also will be "connected". That is why devices can show up in the Access Control table as Blocked. They are definitely "on the network", but they cannot communicate with any other device that requires going through the Orbi system. (Try it: connect a printer with Ethernet to the same Orbi router/satellite as a computer connected with Ethernet. It will be "blocked", but you can still print to it because the Ethernet switch built into the Orbi is a Layer 2 Switch.)
