topic Re: Question about mac addresses in Broadband

Question about mac addresses

splinternet — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:57:38 GMT

I've setup both the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz wifi networks with separate SSID's in my Sky Hub. I assumed (mainly because I'd read it somewhere in the Community forum) that each n/w is assigned its own mac address. When joining a wifi network, my Canon printer needs me to select from a list of mac addresses even though I've given it the SSID (my HP printer is happy with just the SSID). I tried to find the mac addr somewhere in 192.168.0.1 but the only way I know for sure is on Windows 10 - when I've selected one or other network, 'properties' shows a mac address. However, I was surprised to see the same mac addr when I switched to the other network. Should I be surprised? Does the mac address just apply to the physical hub?

Re: Question about mac addresses

jamesn123 — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 10:30:09 GMT

@splinternet

A MAC address is usually assigned to a NIC of a device. Since the Sky hub will be using the same NIC for both 2.4ghz & 5ghz broadcast it'll be the same MAC.

Re: Question about mac addresses

TimmyBGood — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 11:11:14 GMT

@splinternet

Some routers or other WiFi hardware will then assign a different virtual MAC to each SSID/band

Re: Question about mac addresses

splinternet — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:20:10 GMT

Actually, I realise now that what I highlighted was the MAC address of my laptop! The reason I started this post was that the setup of my Canon printer required not only the SSID and password of the Sky (2.4GHz) n/w but also it wanted me to select a MAC address from a list of four. Why is this? I selected one at random and the printer works OK. Also, I notice that the printer's IPv4 address (192.168.0.9) isn't showing up in Maintenance...Attached Devices.