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MAC Address

The MAC Address menu has settings to let you electronically change the MAC (Media Access Control) address of various network interfaces.
Note that this function does not change the hardware MAC Address in the actual device chip. It just overlays the different address in software.

mac_address.jpg

For common device names in Tomato, see the FAQ page.

WAN Port: In this field, you can enter any valid MAC Address to be assigned to the WAN interface.

  • Default: This option leaves the fixed, factory-assigned MAC Address as as the interface's MAC Address.
  • Random: This option assigns a random MAC Address to the device.
  • Clone PC: This assigns the same MAC Address used by the interface of the client currently connecting to Tomato's web interface.

    Some cable Internet providers authorize your cable modem based on its MAC address. Every DOCSIS cablemodem has a unique address. When your modem syncs with the Internet provider, the Internet provider will either grant or deny it access to the network based on it's MAC Adddress.

    Some cable companies also authenticate the network card in your PC/client device after you've logged onto their network. They do this to try to prevent you from using any LAN client device other than the first one you used (whose MAC Address is regstered with them). This way, they can make sure you're still using the same computer/network client device you've always used.

    If the network detects a different MAC Address than the one associated with the original client device, it will deny your client device access to their network. If Tomato clones your original client device's network card MAC Address, it will fool your cable Intenet provider into thinking you're still using the same computer/client device interface to access their services, and it will allow your router on the network.


Wireless Interface eth1: In this field, you can enter any valid Mac Address to be assigned to wireless interface eth1

  • Default: This option leaves the fixed, factory-assigned MAC Address as as the interface's MAC Address.
  • Random: This assigns a random MAC Address to the device interface.
  • Clone PC: This assigns the same MAC Address used by the interface of the client currently connecting to Tomato's web interface.

Wireless Interface eth2: In this field, you can enter any valid MAC Address to be assigned to wireless interface eth1

  • Default: This option leaves the fixed, factory-assigned MAC Address as as the interface's MAC Address.
  • Random: This assigns a random MAC Address to the device interface.
  • Clone PC: This assigns the same MAC Address used by the interface of the client currently connecting to Tomato's web interface.

Wireless Interface wl0.1: In this field, you can enter any valid MAC Address to be assigned to wireless interface wl0.1

  • Default: This option leaves the fixed, factory-assigned MAC Address as as the interface's MAC Address.
  • Random: Choosing this option assigns a random MAC Address to the device
  • Clone PC: This assigns the same MAC Address used by the interface of the client currently connecting to Tomato's web interface.
mac_address.1616890933.txt.gz · Last modified: 2021/03/28 00:22 by hogwild