Mac Session Handling

[Hiddenvision]

Hi there,
I have noticed a small problem and would like to ask if I have perhaps configured things wrong.

When I have selected MAC-based option in the Session Handling the following happens.

When I log onto the Hotspot and signin it enables ANYONE to surf the internet without the need for any signup.

This appears strange as in the DHCP screen it will show the different IP's and Mac address correctly but it appears they are not used for the session handling and in the Status screen it will only show the Mac-address of the Router.

Just to note that if I set the session handling to IP-based it appears to work per user but I was looking to use MAC-based if possible.
Can you tell me if what I am doing, or my understanding, is wrong.

thanks.
Hv.
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.

[alan]

Can you post your config.ini file here?
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[Hiddenvision]

Hi Alan,

I do not feel comfortable with posting that on a public forum, if you have a more secure way then I can send to you directly, but also that file does contain some sensative user and password information so perhaps I should remove that also.

What part of the ini file would you like to view, All of it or just a small part.

Hv.
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.

[alan]

Please email your config.ini file to firstspot@patronsoft.com
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[Hiddenvision]

Hello Alan,

I have email the config to you.

Please let me know if you discover any problem.

Can you confirm for me if my understanding that Mac-based session control should be based on the USERS MAC and not my Router MAC.


thanks
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.

[Hiddenvision]

Hi Alan

I got your email requesting more files.

No problem, I shall get those to you later today.

Can you advise if my thoughts are correct that the MAC-based sessions should use the USER-MAC or is it correct that it uses the single Router-MAC

A simple answer will indicate if I am thinking wrong or if there is an underlying problem to resolve.

Thanks
Hv.
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.

[alan]

For MAC-based Session Handling, FirstSpot will recognize the client by MAC only. For IP-based Session Handling (which you are currently using now), FirstSpot will recognize the client by IP only.

For your case, most likely there is a router device between client and FirstSpot which will filter the client MAC address (as MAC is a level-2 header while router is a level-3 device). Note that if you enable NAT within that router, the router will filter out the client IP as well. Refer to chapter 4 (Scenario 3) of firstpsot_guide.pdf for more discussion on this topic.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[Hiddenvision]

Hi Alan,
many thanks for the reply.

The odd thing I thought was that in the DHCP status page I can see the individual and correct MAC address's so the router is not changing those but just the session control uses the Router MAC and not the clients.

When I had MAC session enabled I was able to collect the required data from the login details just after the new user was created but now that I have had to switch to IP based Sessions I no longer see the user MAC in that section.

Can you advise if I can query the DB to give the users current MAC.?

I shall also read the information you advise and see if I am thinking wrong.

Thanks

Hv.



Hv.
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.

[alan]

The DHCP status page obtains the client MAC from the DHCP request packets, and it doesn't get the client MAC through the usual TCP/IP header.
_________________
~ Patronsoft Limited ~

[Hiddenvision]

Hi Alan,

Just to advise that I have managed to write a function to collect the MAC address from the DHCP data.

Now I am getting the user MAC included in my Email report.

I can make any of my modifications available to you if you wanted to include the concepts into any future releases.

Hv.
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.

[jesca10]

Hi alan!
Can you share the function to collect the MAC address from the DHCP..if it's okay with you thanks!

[jesca10]

Hi alan! I want to try it too, if you have time please share your code:) thanks!

[Hiddenvision]

Hi Jesca10.
let me check with the people around me to see if they mind me passing on the code.
I am happy to share it with Alan for the purpose of making suggestion for core improvments but for me to make my edits public may upset the people that have paid me to develop it.

I hope that the fact I have done it will inspire you to take the leap and give it a go.


Hv.
_________________
Last I heard it was summer,
now it's cold and raining.