Phantom router on network

24c · 17 Dec 2017

Recently I've noticed a "phantom" router appearing in my network. The Belkin router is not mine, the Linksys is.

Properties of the Belkin router list serial number, MAC address, model number, model, manufacturer, but no IP address. It only shows up on my desktop, not the Pro 3's or HP laptop's File Explorer under Network.

Desktop is connected to network with a Netgear WNDA3100v3 N600 Dual Band USB Adapter - WPA2-PSK security type. Pro 3 and Laptop connect to network with their internal wireless connections

Haven't noticed any "strange" behavior, or usage, on my machines, but am curious as to why it is appearing in my network.

Also, any suggestions for a program that will scan the network and list all units "attached" to it?

cereberus · 17 Dec 2017

Probably nothing more than a weak signal from a neighbour, and your adaptor is more sensitive to pick it up.

It could also be a 5 GHZ signal, and your other devices can only see 2.4 GHZ.

24c · 17 Dec 2017

Thanks cereberus - some new neighbors have moved in recently, could belong to one of them. A tablet just briefly appeared in the network - a Verizon Wireless QMV7A 7 inch HD 4G LTE Android WiFi Tablet.

I may just spend the day watching my network and see who/what shows up -

Thanks again for the reply.

Bree · 17 Dec 2017

24c said:

..,.some new neighbors have moved in recently, could belong to one of them....

...especially if they have set it up with poor/no security.

NirSoft have a small WifiInfoView utility that lets you examine all detected wifi signals in much more detail.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html

24c · 17 Dec 2017

Thanks Bree - will give WifiInfoView a try.

ETA - installed WiFiInfoView - interesting to see all the local wifi setups.

I love this place - you people know things!

Helmut · 18 Dec 2017

Phantom devices has been going on since Windows 8.1
Don't worry about them, I get a varying selection of neighbours phones, printers, smart TVs etc. They are not connecting, as you have noted no IP address.

"Also, any suggestions for a program that will scan the network and list all units "attached" to it?"

My Netgear Modem/Router/WAP does just that. Just look in Advanced Tab > Administration > Attached Devices. It lists wired, wireless 2.4G and 5G Devices.

bro67 · 18 Dec 2017

Does not mean anything. You can take the MAC and go online to see the mfg. Some devices in Microsoft's database for the MAC info has been messed up since the first time they created Windows. Started to get worse with Windows 7 and it is getting slowly fixed with Windows 10.

24c · 18 Dec 2017

Helmut - bro67 - thanks for the replies. This had been a learning experience - I like learning experiences - :)

bro67 · 18 Dec 2017

Only certain manufacturers create the chips that drive the CPU and ports. Those are going to have a Generic vendor and with that, Windows may think that the MAC is for another brand. I use MAC Address and OUI Lookup for - Find the Company that manufactured the network card. when I am trying to remember which device on my network is for a IP, due to a couple of them do not broadcast their netbios name and tend to just be oddballs. Only happens if I have to rebuild my network IP database on my Gateway.

Bree · 18 Dec 2017

bro67 said:

I use MAC Address and OUI Lookup for - Find the Company that manufactured the network card. ....

The Nirsoft WifiInfoView I suggested earlier can also identify the devices it can see, you can give it the text file from the IEEE that lists the latest revisions. No doubt your lookup link refers to the same database.

Nirsoft said:

By default, WifiInfoView uses an internal database of MAC addresses/companies which is updated from time to time. If you want to use the most updated database, you can download it from the following link, and put in the same folder of WifiInfoView.exe: http://standards-oui.ieee.org/oui.txt
Be aware that you must save it as 'oui.txt'

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/wifi_information_view.html