NetSetMan Support

iceburgh

Member

Registered: 2017-07-16

Posts: 8

Create and save profiles using mac address instead of ssid

It would be useful to be able to select and make profiles based on mac addresses also in case of multi access points with same name. NetSetMan does not seem to be able to tell the difference between multi same name ssids with different mac addresses.

NetSetMan Support

Administrator

Registered: 2005-08-06

Posts: 1,878

Re: Create and save profiles using mac address instead of ssid

A WiFi profile is part of Windows and therefore is limited to the details Microsoft has designed for it. Windows WiFi profiles have no concept or knowledge of MAC addresses, channels, signal quality etc. This has nothing to do with NetSetMan. If you're interested in the technical details, you can read more about Windows WiFi profiles here:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/librar … p/ms706965

Our WiFi profile management is an interface to the Windows functionality. Therefore, we cannot add additional details to WiFi profiles.

Our WiFi network management shows all wireless networks with all their details. Since they broadcast additional details like MAC or channel, we are able to show those details as well. That's why we are also able to allow connecting to a specific wireless network by its unique MAC address, even if it has a shared SSID. In the WiFi Management it's as simple as double-clicking a specific network in the list. In a NetSetMan profile you can also choose the WiFi option "Connect by MAC address", so that by activating that NetSetMan profile to apply different network settings, it also connects you to the wireless network with that MAC address. Please notice, that you still need to have a suitable WiFi profile for the corresponding SSID! Otherwise NetSetMan cannot make Windows connect to that wireless network.

This is also described in detail at our WiFi features page.

iceburgh

Member

Registered: 2017-07-16

Posts: 8

Re: Create and save profiles using mac address instead of ssid

I tottally understand what you are saying, and I know you know way more than I do about wifi and profile setting and everything else about the subject. But what I'm trying to tell you is that it does'nt work. If you pick a access point called xfinitywifi and this access point is on wifi channel 153, then when you save a profile for it, the NetSetMan program will select a wifi access point with the same name, but different channel like channel 11. I've tried it several times like you stated, but no luck. I pick xfinitywifi from the dropdown list and it tells me what the mac address and channel number is, then when i save a profile and try to connect, it connects me to a tottally different channel and different mac address access point. So that means it cant differenciate between several different access points with the same name, but different mac addresses and channel numbers. Once in a while, if I try to connect to the right one like 20 or so times, it will get lucky and randomly or accidentally pick the one that i choosed from the list. I must be missing something, because I tried it exactly as you instructed and it doesnt work.

iceburgh

Member

Registered: 2017-07-16

Posts: 8

Re: Create and save profiles using mac address instead of ssid

Can the connect using mac address feature be used in the non pro version?

NetSetMan Support

Administrator

Registered: 2005-08-06

Posts: 1,878

Re: Create and save profiles using mac address instead of ssid

If you pick a access point called xfinitywifi and this access point is on wifi channel 153, then when you save a profile for it, the NetSetMan program will select a wifi access point with the same name, but different channel like channel 11.

You only need to create a profile for a SSID once. So if your network's SSID is "xfinitywifi", then you create that profile with the correct passphrase. This profile is then valid for all networks with that SSID. Don't delete that profile or try to create another one with the same SSID. When you double-click on a wireless network in the NSM WiFi Management it will first check if there's a corresponding WiFi profile available. If there is, then it's going to connect you to the network you've selected (with exactly that MAC address).

I pick xfinitywifi from the dropdown list and it tells me what the mac address and channel number is, then when i save a profile and try to connect, it connects me to a tottally different channel and different mac address access point.

We have no clue which dropdown you are referring to, because we have no dropdown that displays the MAC address and channel number. Please either take screenshots or use a screenrecorder (like Wink or ShareXP or Open Broadcaster Software) to record your process, so we can understand your problem.

Can the connect using mac address feature be used in the non pro version?

Yes.