MAC address question

ndmmxiaomayi SG

So far, I've seen server logs that log IP addresses, much like firewalls.

How about MAC addresses? Do servers log that MAC addresses as well?

Researching for FYP, but can't find anything yet... Embarassed

manyu882 SG

my router does.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

I know router does, but I want servers.

SoulDivine SG

That will depend on what server configuration you are talking about. Most server cannot detect/record remote MAC (Media Access Control) addresses since MAC is use in the data link layer (that means use by network interface cards, routers etc) mainly for error correction and collision detection purposes.

A web server will only need to know your ip address and port number to send you the information you requested. Whether it wants to record ip addresses or not is optional. It does not need to know your MAC address at all.

A file/database server normally only record the users login/logout timmings, ip address and the transactions made.

And just like IP address, MAC address can be changed. Any recorded MAC information will be USELESS if you change network device or changes the device MAC address. Thus it is quite pointless to record MAC address in most cases.

However, I do know that [email protected]*b MUST keep a record of MAC addresses in their network servers at all time for some reasons which I cannot post...

So the answer to the question

Do servers log that MAC addresses as well?

-> No

SoulDivine SG

Do servers log that MAC addresses as well?

-> No

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Data link layer part I understand.

But one thing I don't understand. If Starhub can keep a record of MAC addresses, why servers can't do it?

manyu882 SG

starhub uses mac filter in its DHCP server. like what router does.. only restrict certain mac id to connect to network.

if not anyone can just buy any modem and plug in directly to cable vision and get free access le. starharb keep the record by the updating mac list. so if you bought a new modem, u need to tell starhub about it so they can change for u.. and u wont be using flexisurf

SoulDivine SG

Since I cannot post picture file. I will just make a simple diagram to explain.

___(1)_____(2)_____(3)____
A B C < ----- > D

Object A , B , C , D are all network devices that operate at the (Data link + Physical Layer) and each has a unique MAC address.

Lets say A belongs to a user, D belongs to a server.
User wants to communicate with the server, the communication path will be from A to B (label as 1), B to C (label 2), then C to D (label 3).

For communication 1, only the MAC addresses of A and B will be used.
For communication 2, only the MAC addresses of B and C will be used.
For communication 3, only the MAC addresses of C and D will be used.

So by the time the object D receive the transmission, it will only need to know its own MAC address and the MAC address of C. It does not know the MAC address of A and do not need to know the MAC address of A at all.

Unless the user has a program that purposely send its own MAC address information in the application layer to the remote server, it is very unlikely the server can detect/record remote MAC addresses.

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Oh... thanks manyu and SoulDivine. Very Happy