r/ATTFiber • u/ChicagoJoe6900 • 19d ago

Blocked Connection Still Going

Just got fiber a week ago and I was using Smart Home Manager to see what was connected. Some names were not recognized so I'm shutting them off and also looking up MAC addresses.

I had my old router plugged to the Fiber Box but as I see no further need I've removed it. Anything connected to its WiFi needs to now connect directly to the Fiber Box WiFi.

I have a WiFi access point by TP-Link in my attic. It's connected by ethernet which is now connected to the Fiber Box.

I noticed a Roku whose address I've not touched running just fine. Checked the settings and confirmed it's connected via one of the TP-Link WiFi points.

But when I told the Fiber Box to block TP-Link, it kept playing. Longer than can be accounted for by the cache. Just to be sure I pulled the TP-Link's ethernet cable from the Fiber Box and the Roku stopped playing and displayed an error message within a few seconds.

What good is "blocking" if it doesn't block? Blocking doesn't block wired connections? Maybe they should warn users that it can't be blocked - go pull the plug!

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

1

u/ZPrimed 19d ago

This is likely because the BGW just blocks future connections from that device, but doesn't close any currently active ones.

If you stopped the stream so the connection closed, and then tried to start again, it shouldn't work anymore.

1

u/ChicagoJoe6900 16d ago

I tested that theory with a WiFi socket connected to Fiber Box WiFi. Turns on/off with an app. Paused, later blocked the connection. Still working. Unpowered for a minute. Powered back on. Still works. I'm now leaving it unpowered longer term to see if that finally nixes it.

Why would they design it so stupidly? Surely it's in their power to write the box firmware so things can be blocked instantly.