Have you noticed your internet has slowed down, or do you suspect that someone else is using your Wi-Fi? Checking the list of devices using your network is the first step to solving the problem. Rostelecom offers routers in a variety of models (Sagemcom F@st 2804, Sercomm RV6699, Huawei HG8245H and others), and in each of them, the process of viewing active connections is slightly different. In this article, we will analyze all available methods — from the standard web interface to advanced methods through telnet.
It is important not only to see the number of devices, but also to understand which of them are legitimate, and which ones could be a source of threats. For example, an unknown smartphone or smart speaker on the list is a reason to change your Wi-Fi password. We'll also explain how to distinguish your gadgets from others and what to do if you detect a suspicious connection.
1. Checking via the Rostelecom router web interface
The most reliable and universal method is to access your router's control panel. This doesn't require any additional software, just a browser and login credentials.
The web interface address and login/password are usually located on a sticker on the back of the router. If there's no sticker, try the standard combinations:
- 🌐 Address:
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1 - 🔑 Login:
adminoruser - 🔒 Password:
admin,useror the last 8-digit number from the sticker (for example,12345678)
If the default data doesn't work, the password may have been changed. In this case, you'll need to reset the router to factory settings using the button. Reset (hold for 10-15 seconds). After resetting, all personal settings (including Wi-Fi password) will be lost..
Step-by-step instructions for popular models
Rostelecom router interfaces may differ, but the logic for searching for active devices is similar. Below are the paths for the most common models:
| Router model | Path to the list of devices | Additional settings |
|---|---|---|
| Sagemcom F@st 2804 | Home Network → Devices |
Shows MAC addresses, IP addresses, and connection type (Wi-Fi/ETH) |
| Sercomm RV6699 | Network → Local Network → DHCP Clients |
You can block a device by MAC. |
| Huawei HG8245H | Network → LAN → DHCP Client List |
Displays connection time and hostname |
| ZTE ZXHN H298A | Network → Hosts |
There is a filter by device type (phone, PC, etc.) |
If your model is not in the table, look for sections with the words "DHCP", "Hosts", "Connected Devices" or Local Area NetworkThe list of devices is usually updated in real time, but sometimes you need to press a button Refresh or Refresh.
☑️ What to check in the web interface
2. Using the Rostelecom mobile application
If you find it inconvenient to work through a browser, you can use the official application Rostelecom Personal Account (available for Android And iOS). It allows you to manage your router remotely, including viewing connected devices.
Advantages of the application:
- 📱 User-friendly interface on your smartphone
- 🔔 Notifications about new connections (if enabled)
- 🔄 Quickly update the device list
To see the list of devices:
- Open the application and log in.
- Go to the section
My Devices → Wi-Fi. - Select your router (if you have more than one).
- Click
Connected devicesorClient list.
You can also use the app block a suspicious deviceby clicking on it and selecting the appropriate option. However, not all router models support this feature via mobile software—in this case, you'll have to return to the web interface.
3. View via command line (Windows/macOS/Linux)
For experienced users, there is a way to check connected devices without logging into the router - through command lineThis method shows the devices on your local network, but it doesn't guarantee that all of them are connected to Wi-Fi (some may be connected via cable).
Instructions for Windows:
- Open
Command line(Win + R→ entercmd→Enter). - Enter the command:
arp -a - You will see a list of IP addresses and their corresponding MAC addresses.
For macOS/Linux use the command:
nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24
(pre-install nmap through brew install nmap or sudo apt install nmap).
These commands will show all active devices on the network, but they won't indicate which ones are connected via Wi-Fi and which via cable. To distinguish wireless clients, compare the received MAC addresses with the list in the router's web interface.
How to find out the manufacturer of a device by MAC address?
The first 6 characters of the MAC address (eg. 00:1A:79) indicate the manufacturer. Check them through services like MAC Vendors Lookup (will open in a new tab).
4. How to distinguish your devices from others
Even if you see a list of connected gadgets, it's not always clear which ones are yours. Here are a few ways to identify them:
- 📱 By name (hostname): Many devices are displayed with descriptive names, such as
iPhone-12-ProorSamsung-Galaxy-Tab. - 🔢 By MAC address: Each gadget has a unique MAC address. It can be found in the device settings (for example, in
Settings → About deviceon Android). - ⏱️ By connection time: If a device appears in the list at night when everyone is asleep, it is suspicious.
- 📡 By connection type: In the web interface you can usually see whether the device is connected via Wi-Fi (
2.4GHz/5GHz) or cable (ETH).
If you find an unfamiliar device, don't rush to block it. It could be:
- 🎮 The prefix of a friend who came to visit;
- 🔌 A smart plug or light bulb that you forgot;
- 📺 TV or other gadget connected automatically.
To avoid confusion, Enter a list of MAC addresses your devices. This will help you quickly identify unauthorized connections in the future.
5. What to do if a suspicious device is detected
If you find something unfamiliar in the list of connected devices, follow the algorithm:
- Check again: Make sure it is not your gadget (see section above).
- Change your Wi-Fi password: This will disable all unauthorized users. Use a strong password (at least 12 characters, including numbers and special characters).
- Enable MAC filtering: In the router settings (
Wireless Network → MAC Filter) add only your devices to the whitelist. - Update your router firmware: Outdated versions of software are vulnerable to hacking.
- Check for viruses: If a suspicious device has connected to your gadgets (for example, via USB), scan them with an antivirus.
⚠️ Attention: If an unknown device reappears on the network after changing the password, it may indicate that your router has been compromised (for example, through a firmware vulnerability). In this case, it is recommended to reset the router to factory settings and configure it again.
Also worth it disable the WPS function (if enabled), as it simplifies connecting to the network, but makes it vulnerable to PIN brute-force attacks. You can find this setting in the Wireless Network → WPS.
6. Additional methods of network monitoring
If you need to regularly monitor connected devices, you can use third-party programs. They offer advanced features, such as:
- 📊 Activity graphs (when the device was connected/disconnected);
- 🚨 Notifications about new connections;
- 📡 Traffic analysis (which device consumes the most data).
Popular monitoring programs:
- 🖥️ Wireless Network Watcher (Windows, free);
- 📱 Fing (Android/iOS, has paid features);
- 🌐 GlassWire (Windows/macOS, traffic analysis).
Example of work Wireless Network Watcher:
- Download the program from official website.
- Run it (no installation required).
- Click
Start Scanning. - The program will show all devices on the network with IP, MAC and manufacturer name.
⚠️ Attention: Some antivirus programs may block network scanning programs (for example, Wireless Network Watcher). Add them to the exclusions if the scan does not start.
7. Why is it important to control connected devices?
Regularly checking the list of devices on your Wi-Fi network helps:
- 🛡️ Protect yourself from traffic theft: Unauthorized users can slow down your internet, especially if they're watching 4K videos or downloading files.
- 🔒 Prevent hacking: Through your router, hackers can gain access to personal data or devices on the network (such as smart speakers or cameras).
- 📉 Save money: Some Rostelecom plans have data limits. Unauthorized connections may result in additional charges.
- 🕵️ Detect viruses: If unknown devices with suspicious activity appear on the network, this may be a sign that one of your gadgets is infected.
In addition, control of connected devices is useful for:
- 🎮 Gamers: External connections increase ping in online games.
- 📺 Streaming video: Other people's traffic may cause slowdowns when watching high definition movies.
- 🏠 Smart home: Some devices (such as robotic vacuum cleaners) may conflict with other devices on the network.
It is recommended to check the list of devices once every 1–2 weeks, and also after:
- Arrival of guests;
- Connecting new gadgets;
- Router firmware updates.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about connected devices
Is it possible to see what websites connected devices are visiting?
No, the default settings of a Rostelecom router do not allow you to view your browsing history. This requires specialized software (for example, Wireshark) or setting up a proxy server. However, this may violate privacy laws if you track other people's devices without consent.
Why does the list of devices show fewer gadgets than there actually are?
This can happen for several reasons:
- The device is connected via cable (ETH), and you only see Wi-Fi clients;
- The gadget is in sleep mode and is not active on the network;
- The router did not update the list (click
Refreshin the web interface); - The device uses a static IP, not from the DHCP range.
How to block a device by MAC address?
To lock your device:
- Log into your router's web interface.
- Go to the section
Wireless Network → MAC Filter(or similar). - Add the device's MAC address to the blacklist.
- Save the settings and reboot the router.
After this, the device will not be able to connect to your network, even if it knows the password.
Is it possible to limit the speed for certain devices?
Yes, many Rostelecom routers support this function. QoS (Quality of Service), which allows you to limit the speed for individual devices. The setting is located in the section Additional settings → QoS or Channel width controlYou can set limits by IP or MAC address.
What should I do if I can't access the router's web interface?
If the page 192.168.1.1 does not open:
- Check if your computer is connected to the router (via Wi-Fi or cable);
- Try a different browser (for example, Chrome or Firefox);
- Clear your browser cache;
- Try another address:
192.168.0.1orhttp://router.rt.ru; - Reboot your router (turn off the power for 30 seconds).
If all else fails, the router may have been reset to factory settings. In this case, you'll need to reconfigure it.