SigmaX PCID changes each time PC is restarted

[Product_Support]

Issue

SigmaX PCID changes each time the PC is restarted, Juniper Networks Virtual Private Network (VPN) has recently been installed.

Product Line

Satchwell Sigma

Environment

Windows XP with Sigma, SigmaX and Juniper Networks VPN virtual network adapter

Cause

SigmaX uses the Media Access Controller (MAC) address of the first network adapter on the PC to generate the SigmaX PCID, when the VPN adapter from Juniper networks is installed it is placed by windows as the first adapter.

If the ipconfig /all command is run from a command prompt it can be seen that new MAC address is assigned to the Juniper adapter each time the PC is started. A search of the Juniper Networks knowledgebase shows that it is normal behaviour and the MAC cannot be fixed

Summary:
Is there any way to have static MAC address for Network Connect virtual adapter?
Problem or Goal:
Assigning static MAC address for Network Connect virtual adapter.
Solution:
As of now, it is not possible to have a static MAC address for Network Connect virtual adapter.
The virtual MAC for Network Connect virtual adapter will always start with 00:FF and the rest of the MAC is generated dynamically.

The MAC address of the Network Connect client machine is randomly generated based on the algorithm whose result will change with system and time.

Resolution

SigmaX 7.0.9 does not require an unlocking code, if your using an older version of SigmaX you will need to uninstall SigmaX and install SigmaX version 7.0.9.

Latest version of SigmaX download provides some information on the changes in SigmaX version 7.0.9 and provided a link were the software can be downloaded.

SigmaX uses the Media Access Controller (MAC) address of the first network adapter on the PC to generate the SigmaX PCID, when the VPN adapter from Juniper networks is installed it is placed by windows as the first adapter.

Since there is no way of fixing the MAC address of the Juniper virtual network adapter the work around is to disable the adapter when SigmaX is used. There are two ways that this can be accomplished:-

Disable the adapter from Windows Device Manager

Note that the Juniper network Connect Virtual Adapter is a hidden device in Device Manager

1. Right Click on My Computer and select Manage from the available options
2. Select Device Manager from the management tree
3. Once in Device manager select "Show Hidden Devices" from The View menu
4. Expand the network adapters tree and right click the Juniper network Connect Virtual Adapter entry and select Disable
5. After a short delay a red X will be shown across the icon for the adapter

SigmaX will now use the next adapter to generate the PCID, note that the adapter will need to be Enabled in a similar fashion to above if a VPN connection is required at a later time.

Disable the adapter via a script

It is possible to disable/enable the Juniper Virtual adapter from a script, this requires that the Microsoft DevConutility be first downloaded to the PC

1. Download the DevCon utility from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311272
2. Extract DevCon.exe from the i386 folder of the zip file and place it in the root directory of the PC
3. Create a new notepad file with the following text:
   

   cd\
   devcon disable *DSNCADPT*
   end

4. Save this file as DisableJuniper.bat
5. Create a second new notepad file with the following text:
   

   cd\
   devcon enable *DSNCADPT*
   end

6. Save this file as EnableJuniper.bat

Executing these files will control the adapter and once disabled SigmaX will now use the next adapter to generate the PCID