I'm using a Spitz GL-X3000 that works fine while using an Ethernet connection and the "MAC Address" mode set to "Factory default."
However, when the MAC Address is set to "Manual", a message appears saying "No internet connection! Find a network to reconnect." and the Ethernet connection is broken.
When I set the MAC Address back to "Factory default," the message disappears and the Ethernet connection is restored.
When using my Beryl MT3000, this does not happen.
Is it possible that the primary router or ISP Modem, set up with a MAC whitelist, mark and allow the original MAC of X3000 and MT3000?
Or what MAC add did you set-up in 'Manual'?
Thanks for the reply.
The MAC address was set to "RANDOM." The simple cable modem (Arris SB6183) doesn't allow any configuration.
I've re-investigated and discovered that the Beryl (v. 4.6.4) behaves the same way as the Spitz (v. 4.0). (Both are using AdGuard and NO VPN.)
So, my question has changed a bit.
Should I expect to be able to create a "RANDOM" MAC address when using an Ethernet connection? Are there some situations (e.g., my ISP or cable modem) that will not allow it?
Perhaps the help message on the "MAC Address" tab could explain this better.
Thank you.
Some cable providers will require you to register a MAC address change through their provisioning system. If you are using a cable modem, just set a bogus MAC and then don't change it unless you can easily access the provisioning system.
Thanks packetmonkey.
I checked my notes and, when I installed the cable modem with Comcast, I gave them the modem's MAC address. Thus, if I'm understanding the process correctly, the router's (not the cable modem's) MAC address is what's passed on to the internet … and what I'd like to have the option of keeping private by setting a random MAC.
Another datapoint is that both routers (i.e., Spitz or Beryl, w/ MAC = "factory default") work okay. However, I have to unplug the cable modem each time I switch them (presumably) because the local IP is different in each router.
But, as I originally said, when connected via an Ethernet connection and change the MAC address to "manual" (w/ a "random" MAC generated), a message appears saying "No internet connection! Find a network to reconnect." and the Ethernet connect fails.
So, when the MAC is randomized like this, what exactly is the router software doing that makes the Ethernet connection fail?
Thanks again.
The router's mac address is used for assigning the DHCP address, not the cable modem. The cable modem's mac address can be used to authenticate the cable modem to the system itself. It may vary between different systems, I only have experience with a couple of them myself, neither of which was Comcast directly. When your router mac addresses changes, you will like need to power cycle the cable modem, and it is also possible your WAN port is getting assigned a 192.168.100.x address via the cable modem before it is active on the cable provider's network. Watch your WAN IP and see what it is doing.
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SOLVED! Thanks again, packetmonkey.
Yes indeed, when I power cycle the cable modem, things then work correctly. And the problem/fix also works in the opposite direction, i.e., when the MAC is changed back to "factory default."
Therefore, it seems that the cable modem only connects with the FIRST device (based upon its MAC) that connects to it after power-up.
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Glad to help.