Quirky Dorm Network

[ender11122]

My roommates and I have a server that we plan to use for hosting dedicated games through our university network. However, we had to register the mac address on our computers before we could be given access to the network. Each person in my room was given a 10.5.xx.xxx number which is always reassigned when we connect anywhere in the dorm. I am assuming this is an address that the routers used by the dorm forward the information too, not the acutal IP that is seen outside the network.
HOWEVER,
MY suitemates do not have a 10.5.xx.xxx number, the have a REAL IP. How can this be? We can access their server through the internet but ours never shows up.

 

[JesseKnows]

So, what's the question?

A NIC can have multiple addresses reached via separate subnets on the same wire. Your dorm could be 10.5.xxx and the suitemate could have an external address. This implies whatever's on the other side of the wire (the firewall/router) is allowing such behavior which is rare but not impossible.

Makes the suitemate's machine susceptible to attack, though.

 

[spidey07]

what is said suite mates IP address (or just the first two numbers?)

What they are probably doing is in the middle of an IP address change where they are switching to private IP addresses (10., 192.168., 172.16-31.)

During this time your LAN will run both addresses during the migration.

 

[ender11122]

Well the dorm is split about half and half. Why would an admin do this and would it be wrong of me to seek out an active way to get our server a real IP.

 

[spidey07]

You could try.

But normally during an address migration it is a very planned process (it takes time for everything to move over)

Don't be surprised if it is not given to you - security risk.

And don't you have classes/homework/beer to drink/chics to bang?

College must not be the same as when I was there.

 

[Imdmn04]

Originally posted by: ender11122
Well the dorm is split about half and half. Why would an admin do this and would it be wrong of me to seek out an active way to get our server a real IP.

Colleges use private ip addresses for a couple of reason.

1.Not enough public ip addresses to give out.
2.private ip addresses makes p2p over the internet a little bit harder.
3.More security.