Re: Wireless MAC address filtering

[ps56k]

x-posted to -> alt.internet.wireless
followup there....

Roger Mills wrote:
> In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
> Dabbler <dabbler@freemail.invalid> wrote:
>
>> My older Linksys wireless AP router can only do WEP security, so when
>> I got my new HP laptop with built-in WiFi I decided to add wireless
>> MAC address filtering to my router. After some unsuccessful search
>> for the laptop's WiFi MAC address, I discovered that my router can
>> actually display the active MAC addresses even if the filtering is
>> not set. Then I went ahead and wrote that MAC address into the filter
>> list and enabled filtering. All that accomplished was that my laptop
>> got disconnected from the WiFi network. I also have a wireless
>> Internet webcam and that could not connect with MAC filtereing as
>> well, even though its MAC address was entered in the filter list.
>>
>> I tried to restart the router, the laptop and the webcam but that
>> would not help the situation. I could only connect them to the router
>> with disabled MAC filtering.
>>
>> Has any of you successfully added MAC address filtering into their
>> wireless home network?
>> If so, what am I missing?
>>
>> DB
>
> Sounds like you've set it up to *deny* the specified addresses and
> allow everything else, rather than vice versa. My 3Com router config
> allows either - perhaps yours does, and you've gone for the wrong
> option? --
> Cheers,
> Roger

What Linksys AP do you have ?

I'm running an old BEFSX41 router
along with a WAP54G access point - using MAC filtering -
for all desktops, laptops, Tivo, Xbox, etc

[Dabbler]

"ps56k" <pschuman_no_spam_me@interserv.com> wrote:
> What Linksys AP do you have ?

BEFW11S4 Ver. 2.

> I'm running an old BEFSX41 router
> along with a WAP54G access point - using MAC filtering -
> for all desktops, laptops, Tivo, Xbox, etc

I kinda' feel stupid because Roger and Dave were right. Next to each MAC
address entry in the list there is a check box column, titled "Filter" and I
checked those boxes. That effectively filtered those devices OUT instead of
what I intended. Though admitting my stupidity here, I also think that
calling those check boxes simply "Filter" can cause some misunderstanding
for people who don't use these kinds of things very often.

I also realize that adding those MAC addresses does not provide fullproof
WiFi security but I feel it's still better than not to do it. It is an
additional hurdle a cracker might not bother to go through when he can find
easier targets around.

Thanks, guys, for pointing me to the right direction.

DB