This topic

WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

JSR — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 10:52:59 GMT

I am using a Smart Hub 2 and do not have - or need - a WiFi Disk. However, I have a neighbour who has both. The problem is this: occasionally, their WiFi Disk attaches itself (wirelessly) to my Smart Hub instead of theirs. (They are 3 houses away from my house).

When this happens, I find over 20 "unknown" devices attached to my router via a WiFi Disk which I do not possess (their Disk).

So my question is: How do I prevent this from happening? I need to find some way to "firewall" their WiFi Disk so it doesn't automatically connect to my router instead of theirs.

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

NeilO — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 11:26:08 GMT

Hi @JSR Welcome to the community and thanks for posting, this is the first time I've heard anyone experiencing this as it shouldn't be possible. The disc is linked to the Hub using the MyBT app or by connecting it to the Hub using an ethernet cable.

A factory reset of the Hub might help but I'd like to get the Hub team to look at this and will send you a private message so you can get in touch with your details. You'll find the private message by clicking on the envelope in the top right of the community website.

Thanks

Neil

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

JSR — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:30:36 GMT

I have sent a private message with the information you requested.

I had previously performed a router reset and a change to admin and WiFi passwords - to no effect - before posting my original question here .

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

licquorice — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:49:42 GMT

Are you using powerline adaptors anywhere in your setup?

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

JSR — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:01:33 GMT

I am using 2 x Devolo Homeplugs to connect my Humax Freesat box to the router. It's clear that when that is connected to a router port, the neighbour's devices from their WiFi Disk occasionally show as connecting through the same router port as the Devolo uses. When I disconnect the homeplug the neighbour's devices no longer show up.

My Devolo devices do not have a Wifi capability, they can only connect via ethernet. Needless to say, there is no electrical connection between my house ring main and my neighbour's house.

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

licquorice — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:14:37 GMT

If both your houses are on the same electrical phase, there will be a connection and although the Ethernet signals shouldn't pass through the 2 consumer units and meters it is not unheard of. Try disconnecting the homeplugs temporarily and see if the problem disappears.

Normally a row of houses is connected to the 3 phases sequentially thus if you are house 1, house 4 will be on the same phase.

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

JSR — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 12:46:58 GMT

As I said in my earlier replies, I can confirm that the situation does not occur when the homeplug is disconnected, so I agree with you about that. My original question was asking if there was a way to Firewall such connections if they occur. Is this not possible with the Smarthub 2?

Re: WiFi Disk and Smart Hub 2

licquorice — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 13:05:41 GMT

No, because effectively you are creating one large LAN with your neighbour via the mains supply. Firewalls work between WAN and LAN, not within the LAN. A third party router with MAC address filtering capability might solve the problem though.