Network Management

MAC address does not show the icon or vendor in SolarWinds Platform

This article addresses the issue where an endpoint (MAC address) shows an unknown icon or vendor. The MAC address EC:BD:1D is identified as a Cisco device. However, it is showing as an unknown vendor on the Web Console.

First published date

11/9/2018 5:18 PM

Last published date

2/27/2026 3:43 PM

Overview

This article addresses the issue where an endpoint (MAC address) shows an unknown machine type, icon or vendor.

This site (© 2000 - 2017 Arul John, available at http://aruljohn.com/, obtained on May 24, 2017) shows that the MAC address EC:BD:1D is identified as a Cisco device.

However, it is showing as an unknown vendor on the Web Console.

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Product section

Orion Platform

Cause

This issue occurs due to the MAC prefix on the SolarWinds Database.

Resolution

In SolarWinds Platform 2026.1 and above, the Mac Prefix database was updated.  If an upgrade is not possible, please use the workaround below:

 

  1. Open the Database Manager.
  2. Click the MacPrefixes database table.
  3. Execute the following query 
    -- Scripts are not supported under any SolarWinds support program or service.
-- Scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. SolarWinds further
-- disclaims all warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties
-- of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The risk arising
-- out of the use or performance of the scripts and documentation stays with you.
-- In no event shall SolarWinds or anyone else involved in the creation,
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-- (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business
-- interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising
-- out of the use of or inability to use the scripts or documentation.

SELECT TOP 1000 * FROM [dbo].[MacPrefixes]
where MacPrefix like '%%'
    		 
  4. If the query does not return results, submit a feature request to have the MacPrefix table updated.

 

Additional Information: for Network Performance Monitor, gathers the data about the Machine type via the system object ID and then checks it in the database.  If the System object ID suddenly changed for those devices or the device simply does not return any values, that can cause the machine type to be unknown or to be displayed incorrectly.  This is again only for NPM, for UDT and IPAM, the above steps are the only way it checks for Vendor.