Steps to enable MAC Pass-Through in the BIOS: You can find it under System Information. Start the computer and tap rapidly on the F2 or F12 key at the Dell Splash screen to enter the BIOS. Without the USB-C Dock or network adapter, attached: With the USB-C Dock or network adapter, attached:įrom a command-line prompt run either of the following commands: Steps to determine the passthrough MAC address This is to ensure that docked Static IP laptops are manageable on the network. The dock must have a Static IP address that is assigned and configured to ensure that the MAC Address pass-through functions properly. Your IT is prevented from managing the laptop on the network if the laptop is on a docking station with the default DHCP IP Address configuration. However, when a docked laptop is configured with a Static IP Address, the dock can block MAC Address pass-through communication.

Unique hardware MAC Addresses are used to identify and manage individual assets on a network. This is to ensure that these assets comply with availability and discoverability requirements of the managing IT group. It is used to override the dock or dongle MAC address every time that it is connected to the network.Ĭomputers that are joined to a managed network often rely on Static IP Addresses. It is entered in the computers Basic Input Output System (BIOS). It uses a MAC address that is unique to the computer.

This is a feature that Dell has called MAC Address Override or MAC Address Pass-Through. Pass-Through Media Access Control (MAC) address, also known as the Virtual MAC address or Auxiliary MAC address.

There are many different reasons such as adding it to the approved list, but this article assumes you have a valid reason. Note: This article does not deal with why you need to know this.

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