topic Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network in My Router

Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 15:46:51 GMT

Hi,

Since moving into my current apartment, I've noticed that an unidentifiable item is listed on my Network as Slave-Bay1. I called the Plusnet team for advice/ clarification and they stated that they couldn't assit me and suggested I post my query on here instead.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

Dan_the_Van — Wed, 21 May 2025 15:59:05 GMT

@AEO-Hill welcome to the forum

Unfortunately you've obscured the MAC address of the device which can help identify what it is by manufacturer name.

Try this link for an answer https://maclookup.app/

Currently it is offline/not connected and noticeable has not used any data since the Hub was last restarted.

What is connected to the LAN 1 port of your Hub?

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:13:48 GMT

Hi,

The MAC address is A0:CE:C8:CB:EE:19.

I'm a newb but there is nothing connected to my router.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

Baldrick1 — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:19:13 GMT

@AEO-Hill

How long have you had this hub? I’m wondering whether it’s something connected then removed prior to it being supplied to you.

Edit

Post superseded.

@Dan_the_Van

I no longer use a Hub 2. Is there a way to clear the connected devices display without needing a factory reset?

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:21:46 GMT

The same port/bay was also on my network with my last broadband provider which was Sky. I thought the issue was with them which was why I moved to Plusnet only to find it on here as well.

I joined Plusnet in March I think but I've been living in my apartment since August/September

The internet provider is Community Fiber so I'm not completely shocked or surprised just annoyed that everytime I ask for help I basically just get laughed at.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

Dan_the_Van — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:35:26 GMT

@AEO-Hill

If you want to, the device can be removed from the list here >Home >Advanced settings >My Network >My devices

There should be Remove with a white background for that device, click on that.

CORRECTION, Remove has the Plusnet Pink/Red colour background characters are in white (sorry)

HTH

Edit: You do not have any ethernet cable attached to LAN1 port?

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:37:49 GMT

Nope, even in the picture it shows that there are no devices connected via ethernet cable.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:40:22 GMT

Thanks for the advise on how to remove it, I'll keep trying

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

MisterW — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:47:09 GMT

Nope, even in the picture it shows that there are no devices connected via ethernet cable.

Correct, there is nothing currently connected but the hub thinks that something WAS previously connected to LAN port 1

Has something ever been connected to port 1 ?

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:52:36 GMT

Nope, not that I know of. I've never had devices that needed to be connect via ethernet cable. I once tried to connect Sky's in home security system but it wouldn't play ball that was around December though and on my Sky broadband router. Never attached anything to this one so it's strange that it would carry over

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:55:02 GMT

What kind of device would show up as a Port 1 and not by GHz

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

Dan_the_Van — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:32:25 GMT

What kind of device would show up as a Port 1 and not by GHz

It would need to be a device which uses a cable rather than WiFi to connect to the Hub.

For a reused Hub I would expect more than one previously connected device still being listed, do you recognise elizabeths-Air ?

I'd see if you can remove the device from the list in Advanced Settings, if that does not work then try a factory reset using the pin hole at the back of the Hub next to the power switch. Hold the reset in until the Hubs light goes green

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

MisterW — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:33:29 GMT

Something connected with an ethernet cable to port 1 or something that was connected wireless to an access point that was plugged into port 1

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:40:21 GMT

Thank you for that explanation, I'll be more careful of the devices I plug into my router moving forward

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:46:28 GMT

Yes, I have one singular Apple Macbook Air but it appears twice on my router. In my system setting it still appears as elizabeth's macbook air.

My uneducated guess is that its an earlier attempt I made to connect to the Wifi. And the current MAC represents my current use. So I guess I shouldn't be concerned if the private IP address and MAC address are different for both.

How would I switch back to a Static connection though?

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

RealAleMadrid — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:51:43 GMT

@AEO-Hill If you have a Plusnet broadband connection what do you mean by .... "The internet provider is Community Fiber " That doesn't make sense.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

AEO-Hill — Wed, 21 May 2025 18:03:17 GMT

Sorry, I mean't that open open reach. I'm aware that most broadband providers use open reach line so if the issue is follows me from one broadband provider to another without any missteps on my part, then it's likely a greater issue with the lines

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

Dan_the_Van — Wed, 21 May 2025 18:32:40 GMT

The reason behind two entries for the same device is likely caused by MAC address randomising implemented by Apple.

The thinking behind MAC address randomisation is it hides the true identity of the hardware type to any potential hacker, however the device should maintain the same MAC address for the same network, a change of device name (hostname) might prompt a new MAC address.

Again I would remove the AIR device in advanced settings, not really anything to worry about.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

corringham — Wed, 21 May 2025 19:57:01 GMT

@AEO-Hill wrote:
The MAC address is A0:CE:C8:CB:EE:19.

That MAC address is for some device made by CE Link, but that doesn't narrow it don much as they make a wide range of devices. It will have been connected by ethernet to port 1 at some point - presumably your router has been recycled from a previous customer with that device.

Re: Request for assistance understanding items on my network

Brian5 — Fri, 30 May 2025 16:02:24 GMT

I tried removing a device, but see the second in this screenshot. The "Remove" is whited out and the button does nothing.

What does this indicate?