Get MAC Addresses from a remote host # TekTip

To get a remote host (computer) MAC address for their physical network adapter there are a couple of methods. In XP open a command prompt and ping the ip address of the host. type 'arp -a'. This will bring the arp cache table that lists mac and ip address mappings. You may find that you do not see the ip address that you have just pinged. One reason for this is if the ip is on another subnet (routed) then the only ip / mac address mapping will be that of the router. Bummer.

Fear not XP users, another command 'getmac' saves the day. type 'getmac /s hostname' which should return the MAC address of the remote hostname you asked for.

DNS Move - Part 2

Next steps are to create forwarders on the new domain abc.com DNS server to the current domain DNS server xyz.com. That way, when the hosts start using the new DNS servers that DNS server knows where to send requests for the xyz.com domain. Testing should be performed by manually specifying the new DNS server addresses on some Pilot client hosts through their TCP/IP settings. Static TCP/IP addresses should then be configured for the new DNS servers. Finally, DHCP should be reconfigured to provide the new DNS server addresses when the clients renew their leases.

New Post - DNS Migration

I recently took a new job. we are in the middle of a domain migration. I must migrate our current DNS services running on Windows Server 2003 in the xyz.local domain into the new DNS server in the new abc.com domain... The current DNS server runs on Server 2003 as will the new server which should make likfe easier. One important part of this process involves pointing all clients that use the current DNS server to the new DNS server. All member servers use static IP addresses, therefore you must manually change the TCP/IP settings on these servers to point to the new DNS server. All other hosts use DHCP to get their IP address settings including providing the DNS servers.
Before making any changes to point hosts to the new DNS server I must get the DNS service installed, configured on the new server. First the easy part > install the DNS server from Add / Remove Programs > Windows Components > Network Services > DNS.

(I also need to quickly check GPO's to check for any DNS settings that may be lurking in them).

First Up

Well, I finally joined the party and started my first blog. What can you expect? Well my primary reasons for blogging are to log my brain drain into one central place... I work in IT and play Technology. I want to share my thoughts with those who are interested in the Information Technology work I do and also the new fascinating technologies that are emerging... expect reviews, technical info, how to, general chat, and a diary that will hopefully bring some real world scenarios that those in IT face rather than the textbook crap that sends us to sleep on many occasions.



BA's Profile - Bsc Computer Networks, Professional Member of the British Computer Society, CCNA, CCA, MCP (one day MSCE if I ever get the time). I don't claim any fame and my job as an independent IT contractor, consultant, whatever you want to call us sees me working with all sorts of IT and network infrastructure. In my spare time I like to spend with my family, watch football, be a geek, play with new gadgets etc. I like also like the occasional beer... ;)