unknown wifi device showing up on network

In the AirPort Utility the list of wireless clients, that are connected to the base station, can appear as:

• An IP address

  ex: 123.456.789.012

• A hardware MAC address

  ex: 12:34:56:78:90:12

• A DHCP client ID

  ex: You can set this client ID on your Mac via System Preferences > Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced > TCP/IP tab > DHCP Client ID

Again any wireless clients can appear in any of the above formats. Unfortunately Apple didn't make it easy for end users in the AirPort Utility. To find out which device is which, or shouldn't be on your network at all, will take a bit of leg work.

Basically, every network device has a unique hardware MAC address. How you can find out this address varies with different manufacturer's equipment. The idea is to note these addresses for each of your networking devices that are supposed to be connected to your network. Anything else would be questionable.

For Apple products:

• Macs (desktops or notebooks):
  • For wireless connections: System Preferences > Network > Wi-FI > Advanced > Wi-Fi tab > Wi-Fi Address
  • For wired connections: System Preferences > Network > Ethernet > Advanced > Hardware tab > MAC Address
• iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch):

  Settings > General > About > Wi-Fi Address

There are also a number of apps that can make this easier by scanning your network and listing each device that is currently connected. Again, you would compare this vs. what you have to see if there are any true unknowns. One such app is iNet Network Scanner. They have versions for macOS & iOS devices.

if it is it under the [Other wi-fi devices (X)] then that is normal

I have an airport extreme which display in the normal way and then the new airport extreme I've yet to configure show up in Other wi-fi devices. It's not configured yet so it's not on my wifi network, but it's on a wifi network within range of my mac

the fact that the new extreme belong to be is obvious to the airport utility, so a neighbour router would show up there too.

This is typical issue if you are running wireless internet or satellite where the IP is private address.. you are seeing the cheap end ISP who has no idea how to configure networks.

I assume if you click on any of the other airports you cannot actually access them.

To give you an explanation with a bit more details and how to solve it.. please click on your airport.. and show us the summary page screenshot.

What modem do you have?

Make and model please.

Your Internet Service Provider is frankly cutting corners, since you are literally sharing the same Internet connection with other users.

If you are willing to experiment.....and "bend the rules" a bit, there might be a way for you to isolate your AirPort so that the other products from other users will not show up on the shared network. So, if things work.....you won't be able to "see" any of the AirPorts that belong to other users.....and they won't be able to "see" your AirPort from their networks.

But there are no guarantees. Things might work....and they might not. No way to know until you try. Post back if you are interested.

My explanation of the problem was absolutely correct.

Your connection is handing you 10.x.x.x address.. that is the same as the TC internal address range. This leads to the problem.. but neither you nor other users on your ISP network should be able to connect to the others routers.. however do the following.

1. Change the setting on the main TC to router and fix its ip to 192.168.x.x

2. Change the express to connect to the TC. Not to the main modem router.

Please open up AirPort Utility again, click on your AirPort that is connected to the "box" under your desk.

Click Edit in the smaller window that appears

Click the Network tab at the top of the next window

Check to see what the current setting for Router Mode might be

Report on your results

OK, I would like you to change that setting to DHCP and NAT

Then, click the Network Options button at the bottom of the window

Change IPv4 DHCP Range so that it reads 192.168.1.2 to 200

Click Save

Then click Update at the lower right of the next window

Allow the AirPort to restart for a full minute

Then, power off the satellite "modem" and the AirPort

Wait a minute, then power up the satellite modem and let it run a full minute

Then, power up the AirPort and let it run for a full minute

The AirPort indicator light will be blinking amber slowly at this point.....do not worry about that

Check to see if you can get a good Internet connection with your network devices

Report on your results

If you cannot get a good Internet connection after powering off and restarting the "modem" and AirPort a few times, change the setting for Router Mode back to "Off (Bridge Mode)" to return the AirPort to the way that it was before.

If things seem to be OK and you cannot "see" any other AirPorts other than your own, the other users will no longer be able to see any of your devices as well.

Open AirPort Utility

Click on the AirPort Extreme

In the small window that appears, look for a setting for Status and click on the small amber dot there and you will have an option to "ignore" the Double NAT, and the AirPort will display a green light.

Where are these unknown Wi-Fi devices appearing:

• On the macOS Wi-Fi icon drop-down list?
• In the AirPort Utility?
• Somewhere else?