Unique Device Identifier

Ayin Rivera

13y11.1k.NET

Hi! Is there a way to identify what device the user is using in accessing the website?

I am using ASP.Net/C#.Net. Aside from getting the HostName and IP_Address. I already know how to get the Host Name and IP, but the problem is there's a big possibility that the user might change it.

I came up with detecting the Hard disk ID which the user cannot really change it. But the problem is, what if the user is using other gadgets like iPhone, iPad or other devices aside from Laptops and Desktops...

9 Replies

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Suthish Nair13y ago
Accepted answer
Request.ServerVariables("REMOTE_ADDR") will give the user computer IP address.

If the server is behind the firewall then use Request.ServerVariables("HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR").

Now this will return a collection of IP address, the first entry in the list will be the actual IP address.

If you run this code on local it will always return localhost ot 127.0.0.1. Publish the application to server and try.

Request.ServerVariables have lots of other information, just put a Add Watch and check..
Ayin Rivera12y ago
Hi Suthish, See below code: }

if (Request.ServerVariables["HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR"] == null) { Session["MacAddress"] = Request.ServerVariables["REMOTE_ADDR"]; } else { Session["MacAddress"] = Request.ServerVariables["HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR"]; }

Problem:
When the user is using a proxy server to access the website, what I am getting is the ip of proxy server and not the real IP of the user. Is there any way to get the real IP of the user?
Ayin Rivera12y ago
After 2 months, :) Thank you Suthish! This is what I did. :)

if (Request.ServerVariables["HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR"] == null)
            {
                Session["MacAddress"] = Request.ServerVariables["REMOTE_ADDR"];
            }
            else
            {
                Session["MacAddress"] = Request.ServerVariables["HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR"];
            }
Suthish Nair13y ago
Yes, localhost or 127.0.0.1 is pointing to your local IIS. From Run window (Window + R) run http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1
Ayin Rivera13y ago
So, meaning that it's normal to get an ip of 127.0.0.1 upon debugging using Request.ServerVariable("HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR")? and when I publish it and try to access the site, it will give me the correct IP? I'll try this code later or maybe tom and back you if this code works. Thank you!
Ayin Rivera13y ago
We have a web server based on a one location. And the user accessing the site across the country. I need to get the user specific IP Address, but code I've gave you only gives me the proxy server address when the user is using proxy server. :(
Manish Tewatia13y ago
HI Irine,

Is your application hosted on the web server or you running it locally....?
Ayin Rivera13y ago
Thanks Manish. Anyhow, getting IP / HostName in WebBased Application gives me trouble as of now. I am using below code:

        HttpRequest ReqIP = base.Request;
        Session["IP_Address"] = ReqIP.UserHostAddress;
        Session["HostName"] = ReqIP.UserHostName;

At first, it gives me the correct IP Address. But after number of tries, it only gives me :127.0.0.1

I don't know what happened. 0_o?

?What I need is the IP Address of the user accessing the Website across the Network. I also tried using some codes, but it only return the server IP and Hostname. :(
Manish Tewatia13y ago
Hi Irine,

Whenever you get a request from any user the "userAgent" is always there which contains the device type like if the user browse your site from Iphone in that case the "userAgent" contains Iphone.... So, you can use "userAgent" to identify the user device.

Thank you