Stumped by second 5GHz signal from RT-AC66U...

[Ron Rossi]

Folks,

Stumped by this one and not sure if it is an Asus thing, a Merlin thing, or what. In any case I ran "WifiInfoView" looking for WiFi signals and was surprised to find another signal on channel 161 (5.805GHz). It is shown to be originating from a strange MAC (FA:8F:CA:62:3D:C9) which is different from my router, but MUST be coming from my router since the signal start times match my primary channel 161 down to the second. The signal level is 13dB less than my primary. This signal is classified as "N" and my primary is "AC". I am wondering if maybe this is how the router handles mixed AC/N modes. I never noticed this signal before. I have been having issues with my Samsung phone staying connected to 5GHz and maybe this has something to do with it. Not at all sure.

I wonder if anyone knows what this extra 5G signal could be?

Thanks, Ron <><

MAC Address PHY Type RSSI Signal Quality Last Detection Detection Count Start Time
BC:EE:7B:7D:13:64 802.11ac -51 2/22/2016 9:56:22 PM 2/22/2016 10:19:18 PM 1358 2/18/2016 12:46:06 PM
FA:8F:CA:62:3D:C9 802.11n -63 2/22/2016 9:56:22 PM 2/22/2016 10:15:58 PM 71 2/18/2016 12:46:06 PM

 

[jerry6]

guest network running ?

 

[Ron Rossi]

@jerry6,

I should have included that info. Good thought.
Guest is on 2.4G.
No guest on 5G.

I see both 2.4G signals as I would expect and with good MAC addresses.

guest network running ?

 

[RMerlin]

That signal most likely doesn't come from the router but from another device, especially if the RSSI is quite lower. Could be a device configured in ad-hoc mode, for instance.

That MAC isn't registered in the OUI database, so it seems to be proprietary/random.

 

[sfx2000]

That signal most likely doesn't come from the router but from another device, especially if the RSSI is quite lower. Could be a device configured in ad-hoc mode, for instance.

That MAC isn't registered in the OUI database, so it seems to be proprietary/random.

I would agree - many devices out there now days will broadcast - could be a set top box or other device...

 

[dlandiss]

I ran "WifiInfoView" looking for WiFi signals and was surprised to find another signal on channel 161 (5.805GHz).

I had a similar nameless signal (MAC 0A:05:81:24:82:F6) and tracked it down to my Roku streaming box trying to log in to the access point sitting in the same room. There is no way to turn off the Roku radio even if it has a wired connection.

I was concerned that it might interfere with the intended use of that access point so I worked around it by logging in to a more distant router on a different channel. The Roku still sits there, looking for a WiFi connection even when Ethernet is connected already.

 

[sfx2000]

Would be nice if Roku would have a setting to disable...

It's just a beacon frame, so very little if any real impact in any event...

 

[DaBiGoReO]

Folks,

Stumped by this one and not sure if it is an Asus thing, a Merlin thing, or what. In any case I ran "WifiInfoView" looking for WiFi signals and was surprised to find another signal on channel 161 (5.805GHz). It is shown to be originating from a strange MAC (FA:8F:CA:62:3D:C9) which is different from my router, but MUST be coming from my router since the signal start times match my primary channel 161 down to the second. The signal level is 13dB less than my primary. This signal is classified as "N" and my primary is "AC". I am wondering if maybe this is how the router handles mixed AC/N modes. I never noticed this signal before. I have been having issues with my Samsung phone staying connected to 5GHz and maybe this has something to do with it. Not at all sure.

I wonder if anyone knows what this extra 5G signal could be?

Thanks, Ron <><

MAC Address PHY Type RSSI Signal Quality Last Detection Detection Count Start Time
BC:EE:7B:7D:13:64 802.11ac -51 2/22/2016 9:56:22 PM 2/22/2016 10:19:18 PM 1358 2/18/2016 12:46:06 PM
FA:8F:CA:62:3D:C9 802.11n -63 2/22/2016 9:56:22 PM 2/22/2016 10:15:58 PM 71 2/18/2016 12:46:06 PM

It is a chromecast device according to these posts - http://afmug.com/pipermail/af/2015-February/014242.html, http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2452358, https://github.com/BishopFox/rickmote/issues/4.

Specifically, it is also broadcasting a guest connection using the phantom MAC.

 

[RMerlin]

I would agree - many devices out there now days will broadcast - could be a set top box or other device...

Chromecast first comes to mind. It will broadcast itself until it gets associated to an AP.

 

[Ron Rossi]

That signal most likely doesn't come from the router but from another device, especially if the RSSI is quite lower. Could be a device configured in ad-hoc mode, for instance.

That MAC isn't registered in the OUI database, so it seems to be proprietary/random.

I FOUND IT! You are right Merlin. THANKS. It is the new Google Chromecast puck. It connects as an N device at 72Mbps.

 

[Ron Rossi]

It is a chromecast device according to these posts - http://afmug.com/pipermail/af/2015-February/014242.html, http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2452358, https://github.com/BishopFox/rickmote/issues/4.

Specifically, it is also broadcasting a guest connection using the phantom MAC.

Yes you are correct. THANKS!

 

[isira]

Would be nice if Roku would have a setting to disable...

I can disable the signal on my Roku 3 (7.0-9044) under Settings -> System -> Advanced system settings -> Device connect -> Disable device connect.

 

[dlandiss]

I can disable the signal on my Roku 3 (7.0-9044) under Settings -> System -> Advanced system settings -> Device connect -> Disable device connect.

Thank you! Unfortunately it looks like that also disables screen mirroring--although I guess I could do that through Apple TV.