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Unidentified 'RDK-B-GW' Device Showing on G4AR Gateway - Need Help!

  • 19 August 2024
  • 14 replies
  • 1065 views

Hi,

I have the white G4AR gateway, and I've noticed a strange device that always appears as connected via Ethernet. I'm certain of the number of devices connected both via Ethernet and Wi-Fi, and this device doesn't match any of them. The device is listed as "RDK-B-GW" and shares the same IP address as the G4AR, but it has a different MAC address from the gateway. This unknown device shows up under the “Connected Devices” list when I use the T Life app (which was recommended as a replacement for the T-Mobile Internet app). However, it does not appear in the “Your Devices” list when I log in through the T-Mobile Internet app.

I've searched online for information, but all I find are numerous T-Mobile ads without anything specific about this device or its possible connection to the G4AR. Does anyone know what this device is and how I can remove it? Is it possibly an internal or "ghost" device within the G4AR that’s incorrectly displayed as a separate entity with a different MAC address? The manual doesn't mention anything about this either.

Thanks in advance for any help!

14 replies

W

It is T-Mobile so don’t block it.  It is use to help with your internet.

F

I have zero Ethernet cables plugged into the gateway. Only hard wire is the power cable. Went through the power down reset but that connection is still there.  I just blocked it. Internet seems to work as before. 
 

Appreciate the input. Will send TMobile techs the question to see what they say. The initial call with support did not yield any answers. They said block it. 

F

Same situation here.  So how does it help with internet?  I called T mobile help line and they had no idea of what this connection was.

W

Try turning off the gateway, unplugging the Ethernet cables from the gateway, restarting the gateway, and adding the wired devices back one at a time. Check HINT Control at each step. My prediction is the phantom device won’t return.

Did not work for me same exact ID still connected. 

It is for the gateway I just googled it. It's supposed to be there

F

Additional - I do see RDK-B stands for “Reference Design Kit - Broadband”. So I agree it is from TMobile or one of their associates to use to launch services - broadband, broadcast, hybrid cpe hardware.  

W
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It is most unsettling, indeed. It is akin to purchasing a car and later discovering a device within it that appears to be part of the vehicle, yet, upon inquiry, neither the manufacturer nor anyone else can provide an explanation. You find no information about it, and instead of addressing the concern, they dismiss it with responses like, "It's merely a conspiracy theory you're fabricating, you users!" Such tactics are all too familiar—the device exists, but since one is not meant to know about it, efforts are made to silence and obscure its presence. Those who raise questions are met with ridicule and mockery.

N
Userlevel 5
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Try turning off the gateway, unplugging the Ethernet cables from the gateway, restarting the gateway, and adding the wired devices back one at a time. Check HINT Control at each step. My prediction is the phantom device won’t return.

H

Try turning off the gateway, unplugging the Ethernet cables from the gateway, restarting the gateway, and adding the wired devices back one at a time. Check HINT Control at each step. My prediction is the phantom device won’t return.

Did not work for me same exact ID still connected. 

W
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At least I'm not the only one seeing things. As long as it's not someone else connected and spoofing the IP address, etc., I'm fine.

Thanks for the tip about HINT Control! I used it to completely turn off WiFi and set it up on my router.

S

I see it too. My best guess is that it is a virtual device allowing you to access the gateway from the cloud. The Home Internet app is local only, but the T-Life app works over the Internet.

H

I just got the Gateway today and noticed the “RDK-B-GW” device which is apparently connected via Ethernet. I thought this was strange, because there are not devices currently connected via Ethernet cable. I am going to try and remove the device from the WiFi and see what happens.

M
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I’ve got the exact same thing. Could it have something to do with me setting up an additional network just for my garage door opener by Genie? I have one thing plugged into Ethernet and it’s my printer. 

K

I have the same exact thing showing up. And the only reason I found it is because my internet has been insanely slow. I haven't even been able to stream YouTube on my firestick at less than 1080 quality while it was the only device connected to the internet. So I was thinking maybe this had something to do with it due to it saying this device had ethernet level speeds. I don't know what's going on with all of this but the last 3days out of nowhere my internet has been next to useless. I even shut it off on my phone while I'm home due to my phone cellar data being so much faster. 

M
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BTW-my gateway is the TMO-G4SE.  I’d like to know something official from TM about what this thing is because it might be some sort of sniffing program or other nefarious device that has worked its way onto my network.

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