Identifying undocumented hardware.
 

I'm sure there is a simple answer to this.

I'm having a sort out, and checking odd bits and pieces.

I have a piece of previously networked IT equipment (doesn't matter what it is this is a general question).

I have powered it up and connected it to my network switch.

The switch recognises it as a valid item and full duplex lights up. (but it does not appear on my subnet)

I have no records of its original static IP address, gateway or MAC, and the manufacturer went bust.

So here is the question:-

Where would you start?
Broadcast ping maybe?

Someone is bound to ask what it is well its called CDServe by m4com its a very early Scsi CD server device whose two HDDs could be loaded with about 6 CDs (Making the CD images visible/shareable over the network)

Connect to it and run tcpdump.

e.g : http://www.completefusion.com/discov...ith-wireshark/

Thanks for the useful suggestion.

I have wireshark but never used it, but I guess I will tomorrow.

I will post my results.

Almost every ethernet type device has a mac address on it somewhere. As to what the state of it is now, can't say.

Did you use it on Novel ipx or on a tcp/ip connection?

Is this the same device? http://www.lowpriced-laptops.com/pre...cd-server.html

Thanks Jefro,

No that's not the same hardware. But I remember that m4com was taken over by them.

There is probably a mac address somewhere but I certainly isn't on the casing or near the port.

Its labeled as CDSERVE (Network CD-ROM Server) by M4Com.

It probably was on ipx back 15 years ago I was a basic Novel administrator applying policies and creating moving deleting users but I haven't touched it since, I fact I can't remember a thing!.

Thanks szboardstretcher,

ran it against wireshark..............

I got some interesting results which I'm going to explore soon.

This probably should now be marked as solved. But I'll leave it here for a short while in case anyone else has some input.

Honestly, I'd go low-tech with the identification. Either grab a little 4 port SOHO router (can even borrow the one from your home, while you're at work), and plug in your computer to one port. Let it get an IP address, then pull up the diagnostic webpage, which will show you what devices have DHCP leases. Then, plug in the mystery device...and it'll show up. Then you can pull up its webpage (if it has one), or you can figure something else out from there.

Alternatively, you could just fire up DHCP on a Linux laptop, and plug the device straight into it. Same effect, but a little bit more work. :)

Once its up, some software may be needed to configure it:
ftp://ftp.viglen.co.uk/support/Apps/...eClient%204.1/

Don't know what version you need, though.

If it has a static ip in the config you might simply use an arp command to show mac addresses. Then set a static arp entry for that mac to an ip within your subnet and see if you can access it that way.

Thanks both for these ideas, I'm into the box now.......

now I'm trying to work out if its worth keeping, a friend is really into firmware so I might show it to him next week.

Honestly, I'd say no. Disk space is so cheap these days, that a 2TB network attached hard drive is $99...and is faster and less of an administrative nightmare. How many CD's can you copy to 2TB? :)