Unknown IP address of computer without screen

  • Thread starter Thread starter neilsanner
  • Start date Start date
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neilsanner

Hi,

I need to know what's the IP address of a computer, just the box
(without a screen, keyboard and mouse), connected to my laptop with a
crossover cable. I've tried an IP scanner, but this could take forever.
I don't know what's its subnet mask.

I mean, if there's only two computers at each end of a crossover cable,
there should be an easy way of finding out what's the IP of the other
computer, no?

neilsanner
 
Hi, if the "box" is a windows PC, try the

net view

command. You then maybe able to ping the hostname and obtain the IP address.

newscpq
 
Hi,

I need to know what's the IP address of a computer, just the box
(without a screen, keyboard and mouse), connected to my laptop with a
crossover cable. I've tried an IP scanner, but this could take forever.
I don't know what's its subnet mask.

I mean, if there's only two computers at each end of a crossover cable,
there should be an easy way of finding out what's the IP of the other
computer, no?

neilsanner
Click to expand...


No.

It may not even have an IP address.

You'd need to know what OS the machine is running,
and how the machine is configured.

If it's set to obtain an IP address automatically from a DHCP server, it may
have no IP address since there is no DHCP server to give it one. More
recent versions of windows will give themselves a fall-back automatic
address in this case. Older versions will not. XP may be configured to use
an alternate address. Other OSes may behave differently.

It may have a statically-assigned IP address hard-coded.
Who knows.

There's no sure-fire way to determine this that's sure to work.

The closest I can suggest it to run a network sniffer like ethereal and look
out for clues.
Watch for DHCP messages, that will determine if it's trying DHCP.
Then, when DHCP fails, it may try to fall back on APIPA or alternate config.
See if it issues gratuitous ARPS. ( This is part of duplicate IP address
detection. )
Then, if it's a windows box with F+P sharing enabled, you will see
browser announcements with the machine's source address.
 
The "box" is a linux machine. My laptop is a winXP machine. So I guess
the solution would be a sniffer hey?

neilsanner
 
The "box" is a linux machine. My laptop is a winXP machine. So I guess
the solution would be a sniffer hey?

neilsanner
Click to expand...

Why not just temporarily connect a monitor/keyboard mouse, and be done with
it? :)
 
Cause I want to learn how to do it without having to connect a
monitor/keyboard/mouse to it...
 
Cause I want to learn how to do it without having to connect a
monitor/keyboard/mouse to it...
Click to expand...

OK - just thought I'd suggest the most obvious solution. Have fun!
 
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