Detecting Macs attached to my router

[javierdl]

I am not totally sure this question belongs right in this forum...

I have a Linksys router with a 5 port FriendlyNet hub. One PC laptop, one PC desktop, and 2 Macs connected to it.
The Macs belong to 2 friends, and are not in my network workgroup. Is there a way for me to tell whether they are on or off? or even in the internet or not?
Sure I could always just ask them, but if I could avoid disturbing them it why not?

Thanks in advance,

JavierDL

http://sunnylandbaja.jdlprod.com

 

[jimbopalmer]

MAC address prefixes

000393 Apple Computer, In
000502 Apple Computer (PCI bus Macs)
000A27 Apple Computer, In
000A95 Apple Computer, Inc.
003065 APPLE COMPUTER, IN
0050E4 apple computer, inc.
00A040 Apple (PCI Mac)
080007 Apple Computer Inc.

(this assumes they are using the built in ethernet, not an add-on card) I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[InnoTech]

or by ip addresses, if you now which ones they have. you could try to ping them. "Jack of all trades. Master of none."