NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.
Forum Discussion
RS300, access control not working
The firmware is the V1.0.6.16.
I have the access control on, if I turn on the "Block all new devices from connecting" two devices already connected are blocked and there is no way to allow the connection; the only way is to "Allow all new devices to connect".
What can I do?
15 Replies
Tried using the NH app to control each device?
The app shows the devices as not blocked but they cannot connect to the internet
The network configuration is the same as all my other devices
Set the RS for Allow All then try using the NH app for control?
ok, I'll try. Thanks
two devices already connected are blocked and there is no way to allow the connection
Page 57 of the user manual explains how to specify new devices which should be allowed to access the network.
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/RS300/RS300_RS280_UM_EN.pdf
i.e.
- Learn the hardware MAC address of the device. (being careful to set WiFi devices to use their hardware MAC address rather than 'randomize' a MAC address)
- Disconnect the device from the network and wait for the Access Control page to update showing that it is not connected.
- "Add" a device to the 2nd table (Allowed devices which are not currently on the network)
- Check the 3rd table to see if that device has been recorded as a Blocked device. If so, delete it from Table 3.
- Check "Apply" at the top of the page to make the changes take effect.
- Connect the device to the network.
This cumbersome process is a consequence of wanting to keep new devices from connecting to the network. (and one of the reasons I decided YEARS ago not to enable Access Control. Imagine.... someone comes over and wants to show me something on their smartphone/tablet/laptop. "What's your WiFi password?" WAIT... I have to go ALLOW your device on my network. What's the MAC address? Is it an iPad that has randomized MAC? What's that? ........ Never mind, I've lost interest.)
I followed what is on page 57 of the user manual and after few trials it seems it's working; but I'm not 100% confident. I think there is a bug in the firmware because in the Basic section under "Attached devices" they were both allowed. In the Advanced section under "Access control" they were blocked. And in that situation they were connecting the wifi but they're not going to internet. Let's see.
Device status is a complicated situation. We humans tend to think in absolute terms: if a device is forbidden, then it should not connect to the network at all. However, that's simply not the way things work.
- If a device is physically 'wired' to the system, then it IS connected. All the system can do is refuse to pass any data to/from it when the data has to pass through the system.
(Suppose two "Blocked" devices are both connected to the Ethernet switch that is built into many routers. Because the switch is a Layer 2 device, it will allow the two devices to communicate with each other. It is only when they attempt to connect to something that requires passing through the "system" that they get blocked.) - The same thing happens with WiFi. If a device presents the correct WiFi credentials, it "connects" with the system. If it is "Blocked", the system simply refuses to pass data to/from it.
I am not confident that the regular Attached Devices display indicates whether devices are "Allowed" or "Blocked".
- If a device is physically 'wired' to the system, then it IS connected. All the system can do is refuse to pass any data to/from it when the data has to pass through the system.
I spoke to early; this feature ("Block all new devices from connecting") is totally unusable.
The discussion has wandered a bit. Could you please describe the current situation and what is "not usable".
i.e. Access Control is enabled. and the setting is Block all new devices from connecting.
When a new device that has never been connected to the network attempts to connect, what happens?
Is the new device able to access the internet?
I have 1 macbook and 1 iPad with exactly the same network configuration of all the others I have (particularly I have a fixed MAC) that are continuously blocked by the router if I activate Block all new devices from connecting; even if they were already connected before activating (they're not new devices).
In that case, I cannot allow them with either the app or the web page; on the Attached Devices page they're always Allowed but on the Access Control page they're blocked and the .
All the solution already proposed in this discussion have been tested.
The devices, if I don't activate Block all new devices from connecting, are able to access the internet.
I have 1 macbook and 1 iPad with exactly the same network configuration of all the others I have (particularly I have a fixed MAC) that are continuously blocked by the router if I activate Block all new devices from connecting; even if they were already connected before activating
Are the MAC addresses on these devices set to rotate when connected to your wifi? (Apple calls this "private wi-fi address". Press the "i" next to the wifi network on the iPad to check for this.
Just want to make sure I understand what you mean when you say you have a fixed MAC.
Hi giubeca
Thanks for reaching out! I’m happy to help you with this.
I have sent you a private message. Please kindly check it when you have a moment.
