In a modern windows network - what constitutes a "client" device, aside from the typical desktop PC. And, how would one go about identifying all client devices in use being hooked up to the network?

The term "client" is a very generic term that is used to describe a host accessing data/services from another network host (server). So this term is not really based on the operating system, but role at the time of the event. As you mentioned, pcs are normally clients, but servers can be as well, or any other network host that acts in that capacity. Identification will depend on what you are looking for. There are different apps that can look for just about anything on the network. For example, if hte "client" is using a certain protocol on the network, you would search for that. Or if you have something installed on the client (an agent, program, or file), you can search for that as well. Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Client devices can be anything, PC, mobile devices, etc. If these devices require an IP address, you can perform an IP scan to get connected device info. Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX Blogs - http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ Articles - http://www.sivarajan.com/publications.html Twitter: @santhosh_sivara - http://twitter.com/santhosh_sivara This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties,and confers no rights.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Client devices can be anything, PC, mobile devices, etc. If these devices require an IP address, you can perform an IP scan to get connected device info. Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX Blogs - http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ Articles - http://www.sivarajan.com/publications.html Twitter: @santhosh_sivara - http://twitter.com/santhosh_sivara This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties,and confers no rights. Just to get an idea what generally constitutes a client "device" - aside from desktops/laptops...

Client of what? Your AD? Network? To me, if a device is utilizing a network resource (Ip address, authenticating, printing, internet etc) is a “client”. I hope you are not talking about the Client/Server architecture. Santhosh Sivarajan | MCTS, MCSE (W2K3/W2K/NT4), MCSA (W2K3/W2K/MSG), CCNA, Network+ Houston, TX Blogs - http://blogs.sivarajan.com/ Articles - http://www.sivarajan.com/publications.html Twitter: @santhosh_sivara - http://twitter.com/santhosh_sivara This posting is provided AS IS with no warranties,and confers no rights.