Trouble getting online

This is kind of a unique one so Im looking for some insight...
I just got back to work, where we get our net by satellite. Some users have been exceeding the bandwidth, so they have this new program in place that allocates only a certain amount to each station. One of these stations is my cabin.
The tech wanted my MAC number, so that when I plug my comp in, it shows up on the control computer & he can assign that number to the station. Obviously everything is windows run. So I plug my comp into the internet connection & it is showing an IP address & that i am connected, but im not showing up on his computer. If im not assigned a slot I cant do anything with it, even though it sees the net!
Is there some kind of setting that would be stopping the control comp from seeing mine? I dont have firewall or stringent security set up...
Thanks
S.

sharp21 said:

This is kind of a unique one so Im looking for some insight...
I just got back to work, where we get our net by satellite. Some users have been exceeding the bandwidth, so they have this new program in place that allocates only a certain amount to each station. One of these stations is my cabin.
The tech wanted my MAC number, so that when I plug my comp in, it shows up on the control computer & he can assign that number to the station. Obviously everything is windows run. So I plug my comp into the internet connection & it is showing an IP address & that i am connected, but im not showing up on his computer. If im not assigned a slot I cant do anything with it, even though it sees the net!
Is there some kind of setting that would be stopping the control comp from seeing mine? I dont have firewall or stringent security set up...
Thanks
S.

Click to expand...

Yes, there is a firewall that may obscure your computer from the tech's utility. Of course any reasonably competent network tech should be able to still see it, but that would require some knowledge of DHCP administration which he clearly doesn't have. But I digress...

You can obtain your MAC address by opening Network Utility (Applications => Utilities folder). Give him the "hardware address" for the network card you're using (most likely "en0" if you're using the Ethernet port - you didn't specify, so I'm just guessing).

If he absolutely has to be able to "see" your computer in his utility, temporarily disable the firewall by going to System Preferences => Sharing => Firewall tab. Click the stop button. Wait for him to see the computer and "assign you a slot", then click the Start button to re-enable it. It is VERY important that you keep the firewall enabled, otherwise your computer will be completely exposed.

If he still doesn't see the computer in his utility after doing this, it is a product of his own incompetence. I would seek escalation to a supervisor.