How do you get a users IP and store it?

[meeble3]

Hello,

I want to get a users IP address and store it in the MySQL database along with a couple of other normal fields.

How do I do this? How do I account for proxy servers sending 'UNKNOWN'?

What is the best type to store an IP address as?

Regards,

James

 

[GOstlund]

Assuming it is an IPv4 address, you could store it as a BIGINT if you converted it to a decimal form first, however, it would probably be easier to use if you store it as a string, leaving it in dotted-decimal (normal) notation. (Further info on IPv4 formats available here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPV4)

As for getting the information, it will usually be stored in the REMOTE_ADDR field, and some proxy servers will also send the IP of their client and that may be stored in a variable as well. However, the information provided by proxy servers can vary quite a bit, if it exists at all, you may find this page helpful:

http://www.cgsa.net/php/identifierShow.php

HTH
Gavin

 

[sleipnir214]

If a user is behind a proxy server that does not report the user's address or if the user is on a network that is using NAT and private addresses, there's not much you can do to get the user's actual address. That is, after all, the whole point of NAT and proxy servers.


It's difficult to say what is the best method for storing your IP addresses. That answer will depend a lot on what you intend to do with them once they're in the database.

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