How to set up Mac Filtering on the router to control the devices connected to the Range Extender？

Some users attempted to configure Mac Filtering on the home router to manage the clients connected to the Range Extender, but they ultimately discovered that their configurations weren't functioning properly. Here, we'll outline the cause and comprehensive instructions on how to make it work.

Here we take the M1800 and RE1200 as demonstrations.

Preparation:

1. Make sure the Range Extender has been configured successfully with the router.

2. In the Range Extender's web interface, go to Advanced Settings->MAC Repeater and enable it

 

 

Range Extender will exchange a virtual MAC address created by Range Extender for each of its clients' actual MAC addresses due to its work mechanism. Because the router will regard the customers' virtual MAC addresses as their actual MAC addresses, so we need to enter the clients' virtual MAC addresses rather than their real MAC addresses in the router's MAC Filtering. You can comprehend the procedure better by contrasting the following information.

 

Step 1: Check your computer's real MAC Address (74-86-E2-0E-0D-87).

 

The IP Address can also be checked on the Range Extender's client list.

 

Note: Most Phones may use the Private MAC Address which needs to change to the Device MAC Address on the device's WLAN settings page.

 

Step 2: Then check the MAC Address of your computer shown on the router's Web interface. (Usually on the DHCP page). Here is your computer's virtual MAC Address (B2:4B:D6:0E:0D:87)

 

Note: You can also find the computer shown as the wireless device since the computer is connected to the range extender which is linked to the router wirelessly.

 

Step 3: As you can see, the router can only see your computer's virtual MAC Address, not real MAC Address. And there is a rule you can find the last six characters are the same on the MAC Address.

Real MAC Address: 74:86:E2:0E:0D:87

Virtual MAC Address: B2:4B:D6:0E:0D:87

 

Step 4: Find the Range Extender's real MAC Address which is printed on the bottom label and write it done (B4:4B:D6:25:FE:C4).

Go to the client list of your router again and you will find 'B2:4B:D6:25:FE:C4' and 'B2:4B:D6:25:FE:C6' are the MAC Addresses of your range extender.

Note: For the dual-band range extender, it communicates with the router via two bands, so you need to put the two MAC Addresses of the range extender in the MAC Filter list.

 

Step 5: Choose "Allow list only (similar to White list)" and add the specific virtual MAC Address of the device you want to get internet.

 

If you want another device adds to the list, you need to figure out the virtual MAC Address and add to your router's MAC Filter list.