NIC manufacturer detection fail or fob-off?
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a_p_h_e_x, when you've concluded discussions with the supplier, maybe you could let us know the outcome of that as well.
BTW, did this device come with "pfSense" pre-installed?
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a_p_h_e_x, when you've concluded discussions with the supplier, maybe you could let us know the outcome of that as well.
BTW, did this device come with "pfSense" pre-installed?
Will do. No, it was a bare-bones system & I always install pfSense myself.
Interestingly, they're saying that the explanation for the apparent contradition in MAC identities is down to:
1. Manufacturers using the Intel I211-AT ethernet controller on their boards may apparently use different manufacturer RJ45 ports… yet Realtek are not an Intel ODM, AFAIK?
2. They then say that because of the use of Realtek RJ45 ports (connected to my Intel I211-AT controller), that explains why the MAC addresses come up as being Realtek. That's a new one on me (a MAC IC hidden inside an RJ45 port in addition to undetected Intel MACs on the motherboard? Mmm...). They actually state that the MAC address (Realtek) is of the ethernet port NOT the ethernet controller. Interesting theory. So there are then four hidden Intel MACs too? Lol.I think it's time to check with Intel...
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How does this differ from any integrator using their own OUI in place of that of the chip vendor? I have a number of HP machines and their Broadcom NICs all start with an HP OUI. There must be a mechanism for writing the OUI to the chips, and here it seems likely that a design change wasn't propagated correctly. My guess would be that the board was originally designed to use Realtek chips.
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Really? That's very interesting. I guess if the MAC chip is an E/EPROM, then that's how you permanently spoof the vendor OUI?
My point is the product appears to be not as described i.e. where are the genuine Intel NICs? I may even have to settle with this, but want evidence to back my argument, not with the view to any legal action, but rather for the vendor concerned to "do the right thing" and adjust their ambiguous marketing accordingly, so others are not caught out. If they don't, that's not good business (assuming they care). -
The RJ45 ports are simple mechanical connectors, they do not contain a MAC. The controller chip is the important part. A genuine Intel controller would not report a Realtek MAC. Yes the manufacturer can change the reportet MAC in the controllers flash. But why would they in this case, especially from Intel to Realtek.
The point is: This hardware, and the vendor it is bought from, doesn't seem to be reliable or trustworthy.
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Yeah, they will have re-written the MACs in manufacturing but why choose Realtek OUIs? ???
You haven't said what processor that device has but it's probably a SoC type where the Ethernet controllers are actually on-board anyway. Some of those require external PHYs which might be Realtek I guess but you wouldn't normally change the MAC to that. Use your own OUI or leave the Intel MAC….
Weird.
Steve
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@Grimson, @ stephenw10 Exactly! It is indeed a SoC mini-PC setup, using an Atom E3845 Quad core CPU & 4 NICs by Intel or Realtek :D
See attached the photo they send me of a like board; they even printed the Realtek MACs on the RJ45 ports & pointed out the Intel controller…
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Ah, that's not an SoC in the same way as, say, the C2538 is. That has 4 integrated NICs, the E3845 does not. As a result it has those "i211"s on the board separately. Easier to fake? ;)
That's the same as the MInnowboard Turbot boards but they present an ADI OUI as the board manufacturer.
Regardless of whether they are knock off chips why would you deliberately choose Realtek OUIs? Crazy…
The MAC address labels are usually put on the ports to both indicate which port has that MAC and as one of the few flat places to put a label. The RJ-45 port has absolutely nothing to do with the presented MAC address though and the fact they are claiming it should tell you all you need to know.
Steve
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They then say that because of the use of Realtek RJ45 ports (connected to my Intel I211-AT controller), that explains why the MAC addresses come up as being Realtek.
Wow. That's good for a chuckle. Biggest load of crap I've read all day and I've been on twitter.
Far too many red flags, friend.
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Even the "magnification" of the chip in the above postet image is from a different device, look at the components surrounding it.
