Implications of subnetting... 1

[JCruz063]

Hello All,

I am creating an ASP.NET application which allows users to create surveys and post them online for web surfers to take. One of the requirements for these surveys is that no single user/computer should be able to take the same survey twice. How can I accomplish this? I am thinking of checking the IP addresses of web surfers and rejecting duplicates. But then, how unique are IP addresses? I know it is possible for multiple users within a network to share a single IP address. This being the case, it would be impossible for me to identify a specific machine. How then can I address this issue?

Thanks.

JC

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I think, therefore I am. [Rene Descartes]

 

[burtsbees]

Reject duplicate MAC addresses, or if the users migrate to different machines, then configure something that makes the users' credentials/login info follow them. Just a few thoughts. IP adresses are usually dynamically assigned in a privae network, unless the node is a printer or a server, or something that has to be statically mapped so that it can be found on the network by a name. MAC addresses are 48 bits, or 12 hexadecimal digits, in length, so each device with an ethernet interface is completely unique with a unique MAC address.

Burt

 

[JCruz063]

Burt,
Thanks for your reply...

Ahhhh, MAC addresses! I almost forgot all about them (it's been a while since I took a networking class).

So let me ask you this: Are MAC addresses always present even when users are sharing IPs? If this is so, then things will be a lot better.

Logins are not really an option because these surveys will be open to the public and authentication will not be used. MAC addresses would be ideal. The only problem would be public computers which reside in say, libraries or college computer labs and can be used by multiple users. My boss would have to come to some kind of compromise regarding these.

Thanks again.

JC

_________________________________
I think, therefore I am. [Rene Descartes]

 

[burtsbees]

Yes, MAC addresses are completely unique, even when users at times use the same IP address. However, one cannot have the same IP address as another on the same network at the same time.

Burt

 

[JCruz063]

Thanks Burt!

JC

_________________________________
I think, therefore I am. [Rene Descartes]