How to enable MAC address filtering on a Westell VersaLink 7500 DSL Gateway

Wireless networks are by definition less secure than their wired counterparts.  However, there are certain steps you can take to make a wireless network more secure, including enabling MAC address filtering through your router.  If you're using a Westell VersaLink 7500 gateway to connect to Verizon DSL service, the steps below will guide you through enabling MAC address filtering.

A.  Before you can set up MAC address filtering, you'll need a list of the MAC addresses of all the devices that you want to allow to connect to your network.  In the router's web interface, you can view the MAC address of any device currently on your network by selecting that device under My Network.  This article can also you help you find MAC addresses:  How to find the MAC address of a device.

B.  Open a web browser and type in the IP address of your Westell router.  (This is typically 192.168.1.1 by default.)  If necessary, enter your username and password.

C.  From the Main screen, click the Wireless Settings link along the top of the page.  (If you didn't have to log in before, you'll have to do it now.)

D.  Click on Advanced Security Settings on the left hand side.

E.  Under "Level 3," click on Wireless MAC Authentication.

F.  The Wireless MAC Authentication screen will appear, with instructions.  There is a box about halfway down the screen labeled "Enable Access List" - put a check in the box and then click Apply.

G.  A box will appear to let you know that your wireless access will be temporarily interrupted; click OK.

H.  Click the Add button toward the bottom of the page.  On the next screen, enter the MAC address of the first device you want to allow.  (You can use MAC address filtering to block specific devices as well; if you're entering an address to block, make sure the drop down box next to Traffic is set for Blocked.)  You can enter a descriptive name if you want to, then click Apply.

I.  The address you entered will appear in the box above "Add."  To enter more addresses, click Add again and follow the same procedure for each MAC address.

Once you've added all of the devices that you want to, make sure you can get online from each of them.  A single typo when inputting the MAC address will prevent that device from accessing the Internet.

If you get a new computer down the road, or if someone else wants to get on your network, you'll need to add that MAC address to your list.  You can edit or delete an entry by clicking on the address in the box and selecting the appropriate button, Edit or Delete.  To disable MAC address filtering, go back to the Wireless MAC Authentication page, remove the check mark next to Enable Access List and click Apply.

(Originally published on Helium.com, Sept 2010)