[SOLVED] Setting MAC address on "Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG"

evo2 · 12-17-2009, 01:05 AM

Hi all,

for most network devices I can change the mac address with.

Code:

ifconfig eth0 hw ether 00:11:22:33:44:55

However I recently got a machine with the following wireless device:

Code:

02:04.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 2200BG [Calexico2] Network Connection (rev 05)

This uses ethe ipw2200 driver with a binary blob. Anyway, I'm running debian unstable, and when I try to set the mac address (using method above), no errors are reported, but the mac address stays the same.

I have tried with 2.6.26 and 2.6.31 kernels.

From what I've googled it seems that the ipw2200 driver should be able to set the mac address: as such this looks like a hardware issue.

So, my question: does anyone know how to set the mac address for this device, or if it is even possible?

Thanks,

Evo2.

Brains · 12-19-2009, 12:27 AM

The mac address of a network device is hard coded and unique to the network device, it cannot be changed. It can however be spoofed, broadcasting an address other than the actual address. Macchanger in your repositories can do that.

evo2 · 12-19-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brains

The mac address of a network device is hard coded and unique to the network device, it cannot be changed. It can however be spoofed, broadcasting an address other than the actual address. Macchanger in your repositories can do that.

Actually, as far as I know macchanger is just a front end to the same stuff as "ifconfig eth0 hw ether 00:11:22:33:44:55". The only interesting thing about macchanger is that it can generate random mac address, based on criteria that you give it: eg manufacturer.

Anyway, for some reason, that I don't understand, and have not yet had time to investigate, I am now able to change the mac address on that hardware. So, I don't know why but for some reason this now seems to be solved.

Cheers,

Evo2.