Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

How to find Airport Extreme Mac Address using Airport Utility 6.0

Hi- I'm using the 6.0 version of the Airport Utility and as in typical Apple fashion, they've elimitated or moved quite a few features from the old version. (Apple what are you doing? This isn't making it easier for anyone...)


Anyway, I can't seem to find how to get a base stations mac address. In the scenario I'm using, I only have one airport extreme connected. If I click on that device in the Airport Utility, it shows LAN and WAN IP, Serial and firmware version- but where's the mac address? How do I find that?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.3), White Intel Core 2 Duo,8g ram,250g

Posted on Apr 22, 2012 7:53 AM

Reply
17 replies

Apr 22, 2012 10:11 AM in response to BrianMBM

Suggest that you download and install the full feature version of AirPort Utility 5.6 for Mac OS X Lion


Maybe Apple will realize they screwed up (again) and add that feature back in, and possibly some of the others that were elimiated in 6.0. Can't figure what Apple is thinking sometimes.

We can't speak or answer for Apple, but I think it is fair to say that they anticipated that some users needed advanced information.


5.6 was available on the same day at the same time as 6.0. You must have missed that information. Keep both versions on your Mac and use the one that you need.


Open AirPort Utility 5.6, select the AirPort Extreme and click Manual Setup


The Summary page will display the info that you need.


Apple uses two ID's. An Ethernet ID and an AirPort ID for the AirPort Extreme. The MAC address that you need will be determined by how you plan to connect the AirPort Extreme to your network.....Ethernet or Wireless.

Apr 22, 2012 10:12 AM in response to Bob Timmons

I understand how to use 5.6. My issue is more the fact that Apple released another version of Airport Utility and that it's incomplete.


This is just a bad judgment call on Apple's part. If they knew 6.0 was lacking features they should have held back release until it was finished. It's absurd to be running two versions of the same app because 6.0 was released premature.

Nov 9, 2012 3:12 AM in response to BrianMBM

Hello,


You might be able to solve your problem using the command line.


1. Create a connection between your mac and the base station, plugin the ethernet cable in the ethernet port for which you want to find the ethernet adress. You should see the base station in Airport Utility for the rest of these instructions to work.


2. Start a terminal on your mac, and type

sudo arp -d x.x.x.x

where x.x.x.x is the ip address of the WAN port of the base station


3. Still in the terminal, type

ping -c 2 x.x.x.x


4. Type

arp x.x.x.x


You should see the base station mac address. If this does not work, try to reset the base station (with the tiny switch at the back) and start over. Good luck!

Dec 27, 2012 12:29 PM in response to BrianMBM

Anyway, I can't seem to find how to get a base stations mac address. In the scenario I'm using, I only have one airport extreme connected. If I click on that device in the Airport Utility, it shows LAN and WAN IP, Serial and firmware version- but where's the mac address? How do I find that?


I believe you can find the base station’s MAC address simply via the System Information.app:


If you’re connected to the wireless network, launch the app and go to Network > Wi-Fi. Under your wireless interface, Current Network Information, you’ll see the BSSID. Could this be the MAC address you’re looking for?

Jan 2, 2013 4:12 PM in response to Tim Kilburn

Mountain Lion does not support AU 5.6

Airport Utility 5.6 will run just fine on Mountain Lion. It is Apple's installer that will not allow the application to be installed.


The workaround.....if you are interested.....is in this article:


http://www.macworld.com/article/1167965/mountain_lion_and_the_ancient_airport_ba se_station.html

Feb 24, 2013 8:16 AM in response to BrianMBM

How has Brian MBM's answer been marked as "this solved my question", it didn't solve anything it just agreed wit you? There are plenty of answers here such as that of Bob Timmons (assuming you are not running Mountain Lion) or Jbondo? The bssid is essentially the same thing as the MAC address and that can be found with a couple of clicks. This discussion is misleading to viewers as it appears to be unsolved, though it is clearly not.

Jun 19, 2013 12:46 AM in response to harrisonward

Looks like everyone missed the fact that Aiport Utility 6.X (I am using the latest 6.3) does provide the needed info:


Follow these steps to view the Ethernet MAC address of your locally-connected AirPort base station using AirPort Utility 6:

  1. Connect to the AirPort base station Wi-Fi network.
  2. Open AirPort Utility from the Applications > Utilities folder on your Mac.
  3. Select the desired base station by clicking on it once to make the base station edit pop-up appear.
  4. Hover the mouse cursor over the light gray name of the base station, located in the top center of the edit pop-up.

User uploaded file

How to find Airport Extreme Mac Address using Airport Utility 6.0

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple ID.