MAC Filtering on networked S2 DTivo

[emboysos]

current setup:
- Hughes S2 SD-DVR40 upgraded w/PTVupgrade 120 GB HD and DVRchive installed.
- Linksys USB200M USB to ethernet adapter
- Linksys WGA54G game adapter (bridge)
- Linksys WRT54GS AP
- WEP 128b encryption enabled, no broadcast of SSID
The network connectivity doesn't work when I enable 'MAC filtering' on the AP. Without MAC filtering enabled, the network connection is fine. I'm unable to run cat5 wire from AP to game adapter.
I have noticed that the MAC addresses listed in the DHCP clients list differ from the MAC address listed on the WGA54G game adapter and the USB200M adapter.
Can somebody help me to enable MAC filtering?

[alldeadhomiez]

Can somebody help me to enable MAC filtering?

Use WPA. MAC filtering does not provide security in any way, shape, or form.

Moved to Newbie.

[modesto61]

Could you explain how MAC filtering does not provide any sercurity. It is my understanding mac filtering is a very good security method. How can your mac id be found by an outside source ?

Below is right from Belkin:
The MAC address filter is a powerful security feature that allows you to specify
which computers are allowed on the network. Any computer attempting to
access the network that is not specified in the filter list will be denied access.
When you enable this feature, you must enter the MAC address of each client
(computer) on your network to allow network access to each. The “Block”
feature lets you turn on and off access to the network easily for any computer
without having to add and remove the computer’s MAC address from the list.

[Jamie]

Could you explain how MAC filtering does not provide any sercurity.MAC's can easily be sniffed and spoofed.

If you believe what Belkin is telling you, I have some land I'd like to sell you.

[zen_monk]

current setup:
- Hughes S2 SD-DVR40 upgraded w/PTVupgrade 120 GB HD and DVRchive installed.
- Linksys USB200M USB to ethernet adapter
- Linksys WGA54G game adapter (bridge)
- Linksys WRT54GS AP
- WEP 128b encryption enabled, no broadcast of SSID
The network connectivity doesn't work when I enable 'MAC filtering' on the AP. Without MAC filtering enabled, the network connection is fine. I'm unable to run cat5 wire from AP to game adapter.
I have noticed that the MAC addresses listed in the DHCP clients list differ from the MAC address listed on the WGA54G game adapter and the USB200M adapter.
Can somebody help me to enable MAC filtering?

I too had some interesting times to get this scenario to work - in my case I had to add to the list of good MAC addresses that the AP will allow the MAC address of the NIC on the PC that I used to configure the Linksys game adapter with.

I never spent more time trying to figure out why this was the case but it has worked ever since.

[emboysos]

I too had some interesting times to get this scenario to work - in my case I had to add to the list of good MAC addresses that the AP will allow the MAC address of the NIC on the PC that I used to configure the Linksys game adapter with.

I never spent more time trying to figure out why this was the case but it has worked ever since.

That worked for me as well! I know that MAC filtering alone is not a good idea, but combining all of the following:
- no broadcast of SSID
- WEP 128-bit security
- MAC address filtering
I would stand a better chance of somebody not going through all of the trouble to get into my wireless network. They would have an easier time of getting into an unprotected one (there are several around me).

The WGA54G game adapter doesn't support WPA, only WEP. Maybe Linksys will release a firmware revision that will enable WPA on this adapter.
In the meantime I am as protected as I can be with my current hardware. Thank you Zen_Monk and others for your help.

[sublime]

I disagree that MAC filtering does not provide ANY secureity whatsoever. Thats just not true. It will keep the non-hacker types from *stumbling* on your network. It will not, however, keep the hacker off your network. Though the fact that it will keep the non -tech user from stumbling into your network does provide some small level of security.

Just because a lock can be picked doesn't mean it is useless.

For true security, they are correct in saying that WAP is the way to go. WEP can be broken into in less than an hour nowadays...

[alldeadhomiez]

I disagree that MAC filtering does not provide ANY secureity whatsoever. Thats just not true. It will keep the non-hacker types from *stumbling* on your network.

Thus, it provides no useful level of security. MAC address filtering is a polite request that effectively says, "please don't use my network, but I won't stop you if you try."

You don't lock your doors at night to keep out the "non-burglar types."