location of a computer ?

[hergehen]

Hello,

let's say we have a big network, roughly about 200 computers, they all connected to one router ...

so , is there any way to find the exact location of computer or no ?

and if there is , then how ?


thanks

 

[Garion]

In some cases the switch at the center of your network might be able to tell you what port the computer is connected to.. That's about it, however. Depends very much on your hardware.

- G

 

[hergehen]

so, like in College , in dorms ... if student has configured his own computer name, Ip address , it's pretty hard to locate him ?

or they have some special hardware there?

 

[bignick]

Most modern universities will be using managed switches, and they can tell which port the IP address is at. Then if their network diagrams are up to date, they can see what port on the patch panel. That tells them which room it is in. Some universities don't keep very good records, and some do. I can't imagine they university giving a damn about the computer's name, unless you are refering to it's DNS name. And the IP, if it's DHCP then the IP will also be leased to you. Unless your computer is disconnected from the network long enough for the lease to expire, then the IP will be leased to another computer. Then when you turn your pc back on, there will be an IP address conflict.

 

[Garion]

BigNick, you're close on the DHCP thing. If your computer is turned off and your lease has expired it will go out and renew itself - It won't simply keep the old IP. You won't ever see an IP address conflict when using a pure DHCP network unless something went wrong or someone messed with their IP settings.

In any case.. If you're at a university in a dorm, you've got about a 95% chance of being located if they want to find you. There are potential ways around it, of course, but you hvae to be pretty savvy and know how things work.

- G