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SBG6950AC2: Restrict Wi-Fi Clients

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Question

How do I allow or restrict connections to the Wi-Fi network in my SBG6950AC2?

Answer

When Wi-Fi clients connect to the SBG6950AC2, the client can connect to either one or the other 2.4 Ghz or 5 GHz SSID. The SBG6950AC2 MAC Address Control feature provides the ability to restrict Wi-Fi clients, such as smart phones and laptops, from accessing the Wi-Fi network. The MAC address of the Wi-Fi client is added to the MAC Address Filter List to allow or restrict access to the Wi-Fi network on both the Wireless 2.4 Ghz and Wireless 5 GHz or independently. This document describes how to gather the client MAC address and setup MAC Address Control feature in the SBG6950AC2.

There are 3 types of MAC Address filters:

None: Any device can try to connect. - All Wireless clients are allowed on the wireless network.
Whitelist: devices must be listed below. - Wireless clients added to the list are allowed.
Blacklist: device must NOT be listed below. - Wireless clients added to the list are not allowed.

Requirement

The Wi-Fi client's MAC Address is require for MAC Address Control setup. It can be found in the SBG6950AC2 Web Manager or from the client device's network information.

NOTE 1: It is recommended to setup the configuration with a device connected by Ethernet cable to the SBG6950AC2. When using a Wi-Fi client to configure Whitelist, include the MAC address of the Wi-Fi client that is performing this setup. This allows the Wi-Fi client back to the configuration page if needed.

NOTE 2: Even if a client is allowed by MAC Address Control to connect to the Wi-Fi network, it will still need an encryption key to connect (if encryption is enabled for that Wi-Fi network).

MAC Address Control Setup

Launch a web browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari. Enter http://192.168.0.1 into the address box, and press the Enter key. The Login page will appear.

NOTE: 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 by-pass the alert screen, refer to article # 18181 - Alert Message for Web Manager Access.
On the Login page, enter admin in the User Name field.
Enter password or a customized password in the Password field.

NOTE: When using the default password to login, it may be required to set a unique password to proceed to the Web Manager. For assistance with Web Manager Access, refer to article # 18287 – SBG6950AC2: Web Manager Access.
Click the Apply button. The System Basic Setup page will appear.
On the System Basic Setup page, click the LAN Setup link on the top menu. The LAN Settings page will appear.
Click the Client List link on the left hand-menu. The Client List page will appear.
On the Client List page, copy the MAC Addresses of the devices to be used for MAC Address Control. In addition, verify the Type as it will determine what the Wi-Fi client has connected to either the Wireless 2.4 GHz or Wireless GHz network or both.
Determine the option to Configure MAC Address.
- Click here to Configure MAC Access Control for Whitelist
- Click here to Configure MAC Access Control for Blacklist

Configure MAC Address Control for Whitelist

It is recommended to configure Whitelist on both the Wireless 2.4 GHz and Wireless 5 GHz network to allow connection for the Wi-Fi clients added to the list. Include the MAC address of the Wi-Fi client that is performing this setup to allow access to the Wi-Fi network. This allows the Wi-Fi client back to the configuration page if needed.

Click the Wireless 2.4 GHz or Wireless 5 GHz link on the top menu.

NOTE: The Wireless 2.4 GHz is selected to demonstrate.
Click the MAC Address Control link on the left-hand menu. The MAC Address Control page will appear.
On the MAC Address Control page, click the Add button. The Add MAC Address pop-up window will appear.
On the Add MAC Address pop-up window, enter the MAC Address into the MAC Address field.
Click the Add MAC Address button. The MAC Address Control page will appear.

NOTE: Repeat steps 3 -5 to add additional MAC Addresses.
On the MAC Address Control page, click the Apply button. The MAC Address Control page will refresh.

NOTE: If the setup is configured on a Wi-Fi client the Wi-Fi connection may drop after clicking the Apply button and may require a manual reconnect to the Wi-Fi network when it is back up.
Click the MAC Address Filter Type drop-down menu and select the Whitelist: device must be listed below option.
Click the Apply button. The MAC Address Control page will refresh.

NOTE 1: If the setup is configured on a Wi-Fi client the Wi-Fi connection may drop after clicking the Apply button and may require a manual reconnect to the Wi-Fi network when it is back up.

NOTE 2: In the example below, the MAC Address Filtering Type for the Wireless 2.4 GHz has been set to Whitelist: device must be listed below. As a result, Wi-Fi clients added to the MAC Address Filter List are only allowed on the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi clients not on the list are blocked from connecting to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.

NOTE 3: It is recommended to configure the Wireless 5 GHz for Whitelist: device must be listed below. If desired repeat step 3 - 8 under the Wireless 5 GHz.

Configure MAC Address Control for Blacklist

It is recommended to configure Blacklist for both the Wireless 2.4 GHz and Wireless 5 GHz to block Wi-Fi clients added to the list.

Click the Wireless 2.4 GHz or Wireless 5 GHz link on the top menu.

NOTE: The Wireless 2.4 GHz is selected to demonstrate.
Click the MAC Address Control link on the left-hand menu. The MAC Address Control page will appear.
On the MAC Address Control page, verify that there are no MAC Addresses listed under MAC Address Filter List.

NOTE: If there are MAC Addresses listed verify if those are the MAC Address that will be block from connecting to the 2.4 GHz network. Otherwise select them and click the delete button.
Click the MAC Address Filter Type drop-down menu and select the Blacklist: device must NOT be listed below option.
Click the Apply button. The MAC Address Control page will refresh.

NOTE: If the setup is configured on a Wi-Fi client the Wi-Fi connection may drop after clicking the Apply button and may require a manual reconnect to the Wi-Fi network when it is back up.
Click the Add button. The Add MAC Address pop-up window will appear.
On the Add MAC Address pop-up window, enter the MAC Address into the MAC Address field.
Click the Add MAC Address button. The MAC Address Control page will appear.

NOTE: Repeat steps 6 - 8 to add additional MAC Addresses.
On the MAC Address Control page, click the Apply button. The MAC Address Control page will refresh.

NOTE 1: If the setup is configured on a Wi-Fi client the Wi-Fi connection may drop after clicking the Apply button and may require a manual reconnect to the Wi-Fi network when it is back up.

NOTE 2: In the example below, the MAC Address Filtering Type for the Wireless 2.4 GHz band has been set to Blacklist: device must NOT be listed below. As a result, Wi-Fi clients added to the MAC Address Filter List are blocked from connecting to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi clients not on the list are allowed to connect to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network

NOTE 3: NOTE: It is recommended to configure the Wireless 5 GHz for Blacklist: device must NOT be listed below. Repeat steps 3 - 9 under the Wireless 5 GHz.