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PsychoMadPiper's avatar
PsychoMadPiper
Aspirant
Sep 22, 2017

C6300 MAC Addresses

I bought a refurbished C6300, so the serial# is removed from the Product Label. There was an insert in the box that said to go to the Advanced Settings and provide the ISP (Cox, in my case) with the serial# and MAC address from the Cable Information pane. I provided that MAC address to the ISP, but they couldn't see it. Taking a chance, I gave them the MAC address from the Internet Port pane, which happened to match what was on the Product Label, and it worked. Yesterday, I was without internet service, and through troubleshooting, I saw that the MAC address on in the Internet Port pane was different -- I compared it to the Product Label, and yup, they're different now. Anyway, getting the ISP to provision for this new MAC got me up and connected again.

Why are there 2 MAC addresses on the device?

Which one should the ISP be able to see?

Why did the MAC for the Internet Port change?

 

This device is really slow, from a boot perspective, but I like it. I'm looking for answers so that I don't have to return it.

 

Thanks in advance.

mac
Troubleshooting

5 Replies

  • vkdelta's avatar
    vkdelta
    NETGEAR Employee Retired
    Sep 25, 2017

    Why are there 2 MAC addresses on the device?

    there are multiple MACs.

    CM MAC -> printed on the Label, I dont think it is displayed on the Screen

    WAN MAC -> on the advanced screen, ISP can see 

    LAN MAC -> on the advanced Scren

    WIFI MACs - Not sure if they are displayed

     

    Which one should the ISP be able to see?

    typically ISP can see CM MAC and some advanced reps can see WAN MAC. 

     

    Why did the MAC for the Internet Port change?

    I dont think it can change. do you have BEFORE and AFTER screenshots? 

     

    • PsychoMadPiper's avatar
      PsychoMadPiper
      Aspirant
      Sep 25, 2017

      Yes, I have a screenshot for the new, current MAC, and the Product Label on the device which shows the original MAC.

      • vkdelta's avatar
        vkdelta
        NETGEAR Employee Retired
        Sep 26, 2017

        yes, if you have MAC, you should be good. 

         

        are you facing any issues?

  • antinode's avatar
    antinode
    Guru
    Sep 23, 2017

    > I bought a refurbished C6300, [...]

       Questions about odd-ball behavior or configuration might best be
    directed to the fellow who "refurbished" the gizmo.

    > Why are there 2 MAC addresses on the device?

       There should be one for the WAN/Internet interface, and another for
    any LAN interface.  The ISP should care about only the one for the
    WAN/Internet interface.

       Normally, these MAC addresses are fixed, but the one for the
    WAN/Internet interface can be configured by the user.  I wouldn't expect
    one to change spontaneously, but a reset operation might restore some
    original value, which could override any manual change(s) made earlier.

       If it _keeps_ changing, then you have a serious anomaly.