Cannot rename devices

[Candurin]

After a factory reset and manually inputting all my networking settings I am trying to rename all the devices. It would seem as though non of the changes are actually saving to the router. When I click on "apply" it simply hangs and then nothing happens.

I am on the latest Voxel FW.

Any suggestions?

 

[HELLO_wORLD]

From ssh/telnet:

nvram set Readyshare_name=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set usb_deviceName=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set ap_netbiosname=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set bridge_netbiosname=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set netbiosname=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set Device_name=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set wan_hostname=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram set upnp_serverName=NAME_YOU_WANT
nvram commit

 

[R. Gerrits]

Try with a different browser? Or in Privacy / Private / Incognito mode?

Or if you are trying to rename them via the section "Attached Devices" -> Edit device, those settings are stored in nvram variables with name device_list# (# being a number starting at 0)

So theoretically you could also add them via SSH.
Or add them as a DHCP reservation, and then they seem also be visible under the name you enter with the reservation.

example line that I used to re-add my TV

nvram set device_list0="1C:5A:6B:xx:xx:xx HIGHEST 35 PhilipsTV"
nvram commit

(I think the format is "MAC QOS-priority Type Name", where 35 is Type TV)

 

[Candurin]

Would you mind elaborating? I have a device that is named "AMAZON-A72C7F322" and I want to rename to "Fire TV - Family Room". How do I do that from ssh?

 

[R. Gerrits]

Would you mind elaborating? I have a device that is named "AMAZON-A72C7F322" and I want to rename to "Fire TV - Family Room". How do I do that from ssh?

Do:
nvram show |grep device_list
to get any exiting entries.

Then do:

nvram set device_list#="<MAC-address_of_FireTV> _ 47 Fire TV - Family Room"
nvram commit
where # is 1 higher than the last entry from the first command (or 0) and without typing the <> around the MAC-Address
This should add it as type = Other (47)
(And the underscore seems to mean no specific QOS/Streamboost prio)

 

[Candurin]

If I use ssh, it's only listing about 7 devices. If I use the web browser and go into the router, I get 35 devices listed.

 

[R. Gerrits]

If I use ssh, it's only listing about 7 devices. If I use the web browser and go into the router, I get 35 devices listed.

In nvram it only stores devices for which you have changed the displayname.
The other names either come from NETBIOS name resolution. I.e. they show the actual name that is configured on the devices.

(I initially thought it would also take over the name of a DHCP reservation, but that seems not to be the case)

 

[Candurin]

OK. I understand the NVRAM thing now. Just two more questions (and I certainly appreciate your help so far!).

How do I know the list of categories (i.e. 47 = other, 23 = media device, etc.)?

How do I get the names I put in NVRAM to be reflected on the web browser under attached devices?

 

[R. Gerrits]

For me, an added or changed device name is visible immediately after I refresh the page.


list of possible device types (just viewed the html source):
(at least for a R7800 on Voxel firmware, it might be different on other models).

            <option value="1">Amazon Kindle</option>
            <option value="2">Android Device</option>
            <option value="3">Android Phone</option>
            <option value="4">Android Tablet</option>
            <option value="5">Apple Airport Express</option>
            <option value="6">Blu-ray Player</option>
            <option value="7">Bridge</option>
            <option value="8">Cable STB</option>
            <option value="9">Camera</option>
            <option value="10">Router</option>
            <option value="11">DVR</option>
            <option value="12">Gaming Console</option>
            <option value="13">iMac</option>
            <option value="14">iPad</option>
            <option value="15">iPad Mini</option>
            <option value="16">iPhone 5/5S/5C</option>
            <option value="17">iPhone</option>
            <option value="18">iPod Touch</option>
            <option value="19">Linux PC</option>
            <option value="20">Mac Mini</option>
            <option value="21">Mac Pro</option>
            <option value="22">MacBook</option>
            <option value="23">Media Device</option>
            <option value="24">Network Device</option>
            <option value="25">Other STB</option>
            <option value="26">Powerline</option>
            <option value="27">Printer</option>
            <option value="28">Repeater</option>
            <option value="29">Satellite STB</option>
            <option value="30">Scanner</option>
            <option value="31">SlingBox</option>
            <option value="32">Smart Phone</option>
            <option value="33">Storage (NAS)</option>
            <option value="34">Switch</option>
            <option value="35">TV</option>
            <option value="36">Tablet</option>
            <option value="37">UNIX PC</option>
            <option value="38">Windows PC</option>
            <option value="39">Surface</option>
            <option value="40">Wifi Extender</option>
            <option value="41">Apple TV</option>
            <option value="42">AV Receiver</option>
            <option value="43">Chromecast</option>
            <option value="44">Google Nexus 5</option>
            <option value="45">Google Nexus 7</option>
            <option value="46">Google Nexus 10</option>
            <option value="47" selected>Other</option>
            <option value="48">WN1000RP</option>
            <option value="49">WN2500RP</option>
            <option value="50">VoIP</option>
            <option value="51">iPhone 6/6S</option>

 

[Candurin]

Clearly I have an issue. I can change the via ssh (NVRAM) and it does show the list is correct when I use the device_list command using ssh. The problem is that none of this is reflected on the web browser.

How can I check there is not an issue with the browser getting the data from the NVRAM, if that makes sense?

 

[kamoj]

There are many bugs in the web browser code.
Set a simple name with characters a-z and leave it at that untill e.g. Netgear/Voxel/Kamoj/nsx fix these errors.

 

[Candurin]

There are many bugs in the web browser code.
Set a simple name with characters a-z and leave it at that untill e.g. Netgear/Voxel/Kamoj/nsx fix these errors.

I hear you. But if there is no way to see the name change in the web browser there's no reason for me to do it. That was my entire intention. It used to work on the web browser (and Nighthawk IOS app).

Its sporadic, sometimes I can change the name and most times not.

Are we sure I am not heading towards a hardware failure?

 

[R. Gerrits]

I don't know the exact details. But that page gets a JSON file with device info from http://routerip/QOS_device_info.htm
and that 2nd url calls function json_device_info("json")
That function is defined in the binary /usr/sbin/net-cgi

But I don't know how (or if it is even possible) to invoke functions in net-cgi from cmdline.

To comment on Kamoj's addition:
if the JSON generated by http://routerip/QOS_device_info.htm also has the wrong names, then the cause lies in net-cgi and then only Netgear can fix it.
(assuming we don't have access to the source-code of net-cgi)

 

[kamoj]

This is one of the many many known Netgear stock bugs.
Remove all devices, and connect and rename them one by one until you find out the problematic one(s).
One by one. Start with short name from command prompt. No blanks or special characters in name.
Keep it simple.
Listen to the fantastic advice's you already got here.
Good Luck!
It's doable!

 

[Candurin]

I’ll give it a go. Thanks for all the help!

 

[kamoj]

Good, hope you found the "bad device".
Also search this forum and you can find eg:
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/i...have-a-possible-workaround.60089/#post-526601
https://www.snbforums.com/threads/c...r-r7800-v-1-0-2-72sf.59894/page-8#post-525605

I’ll give it a go. Thanks for all the help!

 

[HELLO_wORLD]

I suppose you got it by now, but the answer I posted was to rename the name of the router itself. I had trouble renaming mine from GUI and did it from terminal.

As for connected devices names, the answers given here are accurate.
Web gui does not have its own settings somewhere else. All persistent router settings are in NVRAM.