Unknown Router displaying on my Network

[Track7]

I have a home network connecting 4 computers, 2 print servers, and a media bridge to a Linksys wireless router. Pretty much the same setup from XP to Vista to Win7.

After installing Windows 7 x64, I am seeing a device under the category "Infrastructure (1)" on my Windows Network screen. It identifies itself as "WNR843Bv" - a Netgear router - which is definitely NOT a device on my network! Maybe it belongs to a neighbor, I can't verify this. Other than this - the network is functioning as expected.

I use WPA2 encryption and MAC Address filtering on my Linksys router, so I am (reasonably) confident that this device is not connected to my network. However, I am not comfortable with this.

Can anyone help me understand :

(1) What is an "Infrastructure (1) device?
(2) Why is it showing up on my Network screen in Windows 7?
(3) How can I get rid of it?

Thanks.

 

[Track7]

BUMP!

I attached a screenshot to illustrate the problem. The mysterious network device is circled. Thanks!

 

[torrentg]

That's your router. I'm willing to bet 20:1 that you installed a 3rd party Linux based firmware on it, right? Something like DD-WRT? I dunno really though. Just a guess.

 

[Track7]

That's your router. I'm willing to bet 20:1 that you installed a 3rd party Linux based firmware on it, right? Something like DD-WRT? I dunno really though. Just a guess.

You can put your $20 bill away! I appreciate any assistance!

You're partially right - I do have 3rd party firmware on MY Linksys router - however, the device showing as "Infrastructure (1)" is not my router. How do I know this?

(1) When I do Right Click > Properties on the device in My Network, it reveals its MAC Address, and that it's a Netgear RangeMax Wireless-N Router - which I do not own.

(2) I did a WiFi scan with inSSIDer (cool app.) and it clearly identifies that one of my neighbors is using this Netgear Router on his network. inSSIDER identifies it by the MAC Address, so I am pretty sure this is the router.

(3) My wireless network is locked down with WPA and MAC Filtering. I use Channel 1. The neighbor's wireless router uses WEP and is on Channel 11.

So, why is this device displaying as "Infrastructure (1)" on my network?

 

[Dwarf]

Hi Track7

Can you repost your network configuration as shown below. You've stated that you have 3rd party firmware installed on your router - it is possible that this is where the problem lies and it is actually your router which is being mis-identified.

 

[Track7]

Thanks Dwarf

Here is my network configuration:

 

[Barman58]

A couple of questions

Are you in a highly populated area?

Is your router set to the default settings?

What i am thinking is that this could be a neighbour's router that is set with the default IP address range. There is also a chance that the SSID could be the same - a lot of people call the network something such as Home or Wireless and the chance is there that two nearby systems could be named the same - this is more likely when the routers are from the same manufacturer and are left at default

 

[Dwarf]

Can you repost your network layout - this time click on See full map.

 

[Track7]

Can you repost your network layout - this time click on See full map.

Here it is!

 

[aem]

If this device is not yours than it's your neighbour's. Why not go around and ask them. Btw, can u disabled it?

 

[Track7]

A couple of questions

Are you in a highly populated area?

Is your router set to the default settings?

What i am thinking is that this could be a neighbour's router that is set with the default IP address range. There is also a chance that the SSID could be the same - a lot of people call the network something such as Home or Wireless and the chance is there that two nearby systems could be named the same - this is more likely when the routers are from the same manufacturer and are left at default

I detected more than 10 other wireless networks here, so YES -- it's a highly populated area. Neither my router nor the neighbor's are set at default. We both have different customized SSID names, mine uses WPA - his WEP. Mine is a Linksys, his is a Netgear.

If this device is not yours than it's your neighbour's. Why not go around and ask them. Btw, can u disabled it?

aem: I have talked to my neighbor, and confirmed that I am seeing his router on my network. I can't ask him to shut it off - it is HIS device, and it feeds HIS network. I am seeking to learn why Win7 is showing this particular device as Infrastructure (1) on MY network - while ignoring 8 or 9 other routers in the vicinity. The neighbor is a nice guy, but I'd feel much better (and secure) if my network only listed devices I control.

Thanks

 

[Barman58]

I would suggest that you change the working IP range of one of the routers - probably yours would be the easier .

I think the two systems are using the same range so your network is "discovering" the device as it's whithin the IP range for it's segment.

If you are using DHCP simply go into the router and change the settings from 192.168.001.001 to 255 to something like 192.168.010 001 to 255.

You should find that once you reboot all your devices the issue will be gone

 

[aem]

I didnt say to ask him to shut his device down, lol, i said could u do it on your machine, as to get rid of it.

As far as detection is concern, it might not be him that is accessing your network, rather you accessing his. Cos after all, you are able to connect to that device in some form. What's in your internet connections (bottom right sign icon), screenshot it.

 

[Track7]

I would suggest that you change the working IP range of one of the routers - probably yours would be the easier .

I think the two systems are using the same range so your network is "discovering" the device as it's whithin the IP range for it's segment.

If you are using DHCP simply go into the router and change the settings from 192.168.001.001 to 255 to something like 192.168.010 001 to 255.

You should find that once you reboot all your devices the issue will be gone

Thanks Barman58 - it seemed like a logical thing to try!

I changed MY router's local IP Address from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.10.1 and rebooted the router. Then I changed the static address on my laptop from 192.168.0.x to 192.168.10.x - and rebooted.

Unfortunately, the undesired router continues to be displayed as Infrastructure (1) on my network.

 

[ba5ik]

Try going to Change Advanced sharing settings>Home Network and disable network discovery.

Then run gpedit.msc go to Computer Configuration>Windows Settings>Security Settings>Network List Manager Policies Under Network Name enter the name of your network and under Unidentified and Identifying networks set to private.. reboot

 

[Track7]

I didnt say to ask him to shut his device down, lol, i said could u do it on your machine, as to get rid of it.

As far as detection is concern, it might not be him that is accessing your network, rather you accessing his. Cos after all, you are able to connect to that device in some form. What's in your internet connections (bottom right sign icon), screenshot it.

Here is a screenshot. It shows that I am only connected to one network - S4nr5.1 - which is mine. The 2nd network on the list (it starts with the letter "p") is the one with the Netgear Router that comes up as Infrastructure (1) on My Network. According to internet connections, I am not connected to it.

I am stumped. Thanks.

 

[webquest]

Any luck with this issue?

 

[chev65]

What concerns me more is that some of your machines aren't even showing up as officially connected to the network map. That usually indicates a problem.

I would completely reassemble the network starting from square one. All of your networked machines should be part of the network string on that map. Unless you have them outside your network for some reason?

As for figuring out if that netgear router is using your internet connection use wireshark to map all the network machines using your network.
http://www.wireshark.org/

 

[Dwarf]

Wireless transmission between your router and the transceiver on your machine takes place over one of several frequency channels. Have you tried using a different channel?

 

[chev65]

Changing channels would probably get rid of the rogue netgear router connection but that doesn't explain this strange network map which seems to have all the wired computers not included or being mapped. This isn't right.