Question on IP addresses

[Yohhan]

On a large size message board, what are the chances that two posters would have the same IP address?

Doesn't AOL pool their IP's so multiple people can end up using the same IP at different times? I'm trying to figure out how likely this occurence is. For example, if I block out an IP from my site for causing problems, and that IP happens to be an AOL address, how many potential users would I be blocking out?

 

[SpunkyJones]

Any of AOL's users can get that address, its basically first come, first serve with dynamic IP addressing.

 

[Nothinman]

For example, if I block out an IP from my site for causing problems, and that IP happens to be an AOL address, how many potential users would I be blocking out?

All users of AOL, at some time or another, have a chance of getting that address. Well maybe not all, it really depends on how AOL has their network setup. But you can't consider an IP to be unique for any extended period of time.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Yohhan
On a large size message board, what are the chances that two posters would have the same IP address?

Doesn't AOL pool their IP's so multiple people can end up using the same IP at different times? I'm trying to figure out how likely this occurence is. For example, if I block out an IP from my site for causing problems, and that IP happens to be an AOL address, how many potential users would I be blocking out?

IP addresses must be globally unique on the Internet.

Its like a phone number. how in the world could a phone call be routed to the right phone if there were duplicate numbers?

 

[Nothinman]

IP addresses must be globally unique on the Internet.

Its like a phone number. how in the world could a phone call be routed to the right phone if there were duplicate numbers?

Unique yes, tied to a single person, no.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

IP addresses must be globally unique on the Internet.

Its like a phone number. how in the world could a phone call be routed to the right phone if there were duplicate numbers?

Unique yes, tied to a single person, no.

yep. But you see my analogy.

The call is routed to the right phone, doesn't matter who answers.

 

[Nothinman]

But if you're trying to stop someone from calling you it's easy to block a certain number and be sure it's them unless they call the phone company and get a new one. On the Internet it's as easy as ipconfig /release && ipconfig /renew to get a new IP.

 

[Yohhan]

Thanks. It doesn't sound like there are any good strategies for blocking individuals (tied to a single computer) from my site then?

 

[JackMDS]

If you block an IP that is used by an ISP as part as a Dynamic Block, this IP might use by many users in a span of time, and others might be blocked to.

Some Dynamic Cable IPs stay for long period of time (mine at times stays for few months) but there is no real rules.

AOL and other ISPs have the exact statistics about prevalence of IP assignment but it is not info in the public domain.

If you are ?Hacked?, ?Annoyed?, ?Attacked? by individuals that seem to have an IP coming from the same ISP record it and send an email to the ISP. They would not tell you who is the person but they might contact him and let him know that there is complains concerning his/her activities.

:sun: