Not sure if this is a FIOS (Actiontec) or a security or a networking Forum question, but here goes:
One of my four computers connected to my home network is an older laptop, rarely used, let's call him Joe. when I do go online with him, I'm usually connected by Ethernet, and the router shows him connected with his name (Joe) and a certain MAC address and Ethernet; so far so good.
Today, I connected wirelessly and had a bit of trouble getting in. Finally re-entered the password and after two tries, got connected; good. But when I went into the router interface (just curious), I saw that Joe was still showing Ethernet (which it wasn't now) and Inactive, and there was now a "new-host2" showing Active, which I assume was Joe, but the MAC addy was completely different! So I then disconnected and turned off Joe, and now "new-host" was Inactive, so it was definitely Joe on there, but with no name and a different MAC.
So why does the Actiontec see a different MAC when I'm wireless vs. Ethernet, and why isn't it recognizing that it's Joe?
BTW, if this means it's not really connected to my network in the sense that I'd be able to share files (I haven't tried) when I'm wireless, that's absolutely fine. I get internet access which is all I need. Just curious that it's seeing it differently if I'm wired or wireless, both regarding name and MAC. I always thought MAC addys were one to a machine.
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The truth of a thing is the feel of it, not the think of it. -- Stanley Kubrick
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