My school does things likes this.
Everything is "Dynamic" however you get the same IP for the port every time. So, basically, they know the IP number, they know the room its conected in, they know who you are. They do register MACs however its is VERY easy to get around.
All you have to do is assign the IP static, either the one thats supposed to be for that port, or any unused one, and you have to manually put in a vew other things, and then it will work no matter what MAC you have. So, all that registering the MAC gets you is the ability to get the IP dynamicaly.
My school does the same thing for getting wireless access.
Why do I know all this? Well the idiots at my school dont know how to enter MACs correctly. And getting them to change their mistakes takes them pretty much all semester. There is only "one" person who can enter MACs, and we have formulated that he works about an hour a week, and at least 45min of that time he is on break. I swear, if that guy where ever to die or something, we wouldent have internet for years.
Last year it took about a month to get everyone on the network. I know casue I was one of the freaking volunteers that had to go scan every dorm computer for viruses and all that BS.
Personally, if I was in a position to make requests, it would be to let students submit their MAC and all the registration crap via a website, but NO we use a paper system that takes: Resources, Time, Money.
Hopefully it will get fixed by the time I get out of college, come back, and take over
