SBG6580-2: MAC Passthrough Setup

The MAC Pass-through feature allows a device on the LAN to have a public address assigned to it.  All other client devices will connect using NAPT on the private LAN subnet. MAC Pass-through is used when a port number or packet protocol that an in-bound application might use cannot be anticipated.  For example, some network games select arbitrary port numbers when a connection is opened.  This feature may also need to be used when connecting multiple gaming systems to the Internet at the same time.  This document provides steps to pass through a WAN IP address to a connected device.

CAUTION: When a client device is set up for MAC Pass-through, it will be fully accessible from the Internet.  For security purposes, please make sure that the device is protected by a software firewall.

NOTE: When a device is set up for MAC Pass-through, it will be inaccessible from other client devices connected to the gateway.

Requirements

• Subscribe to an additional Internet IP address from the cable provider, with up to 32 IP addresses supported.
• Client device MAC address, which can be gathered from the client device or in the Web manager of the SBG6580-2.
• Client device network configuration is set to obtain an IP address automatically via DHCP (normally the default setting).

Enable MAC Pass-through

1. Launch a Firefox or Safari browser.  Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key.  
   
   NOTE: A browser message on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera, may appear when accessing the Web Manager.  The message includes 192.168.01 uses an unsupported protocol and ERR_SSL_VERSION_OR_CIPHER_MISMATCH.  The Web Manager uses an earlier version of the TLS protocol and does not match the version allowed by the web browser.  Safari browsers on Apple PC and mobile devices are not impacted.  The workaround to access the Web Manager with a PC is to use the Firefox browser and set the TLS version to 1.  For workaround instructions refer to article # 19435 - 192.168.0.1 uses an unsupported protocol. 
    
2. A security or private risk alert may appear on the web browser advising users to proceed with caution when accessing the Web Manager.  There is no risk in proceeding to the Web Manager.  For instructions to bypass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.
    
3. On the Login page, enter admin or a customized username in the Username field.
    
4. Enter password or a customized password in the Password field.
   
   NOTE: On later versions of the SBG6580-2, the Wi-Fi Security Key is used as the default admin password printed on the bottom white label.  For assistance with Web Manager Access, refer to article # 18752 – SBG6580-2: Web Manager Access.
   
   
    
5. Click the Login button.  The Home page will appear.
   
    
    
6. Move the mouse cursor over Advanced on the main menu and click the Options link on the sub-menu.  The Advanced - Options page will appear.
   
   
    
7. On the Advanced Options page, scroll to the bottom of the page to the Pass-through MAC Addresses section.
    
8. In the Pass-through MAC Addresses section, enter the MAC address of the device to pass the WAN IP address to, then click on Add MAC Address.
   
   
    
9. To stop passing through the WAN IP address to a device, click on the MAC address in the list, then click on Remove MAC address.