Summary. The following instructions are for configuring the Actiontec Wireless Router to have an open wireless network that allows only specified users (computers) to access the wireless network. These instructions were written based on the DSL Modem with Wireless Gateway, model GT-701WG, HW Ver. E, F/W3.60.2.0.6.3.
MAC Address. To add a new computer to the accepted list of wireless users in a MAC controlled environment, you will need to know the MAC Address. The MAC number is like a serial number for each wireless network card. It is also called the Physical Address or the Wi-Fi Address. Find the MAC address (Physical Address) of your wireless network card.
- For Apple users, this is found by clicking on the Apple menu (the Blue Apple), choose About This Mac, click on More Info…, Click on the Network Category in the System Profiler window. The MAC address for your wireless network card will be displayed when you click on Network and then your Wireless card listed on the right. The MAC address will be listed with other information about the wireless card. It will be something like 00:18:8B:1C:8F:89.
- For Windows users, go to Start, Run, type CMD and press Enter. Type ipconfig /all then press Enter. Under Ethernet Adapter Wireless Network Configuration, look for the Physical Address. It will be something like 00-18-8B-1C-8F-89.
Configure Router. Configure the Actiontec Wireless Router to allow your computer to use the wireless network.
- Open Internet Explorer and go to http://192.168.0.1
- This should open up the Actiontec Main Menu
- Click on Setup / Configuration
- Click on Advanced Setup
- Click on the Begin Advanced Setup button
- On the left column, click on the link for Wireless MAC Authentication
- Assuming you are using Wireless MAC Authentication, there will be a check mark next to Enable Access List. A common setting will be to Deny all clients except those listed in the exception list. The Exception list will contain the MAC address (physical address) for every user you would like to allow access on the network. To add a MAC address, enter it in the Client MAC address box and click on the Add button. To remove a MAC address, click on it in the list and click on the Remove button. Note that a MAC address on an apple computer may be provided with numbers separated by : rather than -. Be sure to use the hyphen (-) when entering the MAC address to add.
- When done, click the next button. Then click Save and Restart in the lower left corner of the screen. This will take you to the Save and Restart screen. Click on the Save and Restart button. This will save the new changes in the approved MAC address list and restart the router (but not the computer). Warning, the connection to the Internet will be lost for anyone on the Internet.
- You should now see a message, “Congratulations! Your DSL Modem is now being configured. You will be on the Internet when the power and DSL lights are solid green along with the Internet light. The Internet light may be blinking green indicating traffic. If your ISP’s protocol is bridging, the Internet light will be off.”