What is a node?
In short terms, a node is the name that your computer has on the network in order to easily differentiate it from other computers.
The node name consists of specific identifiers based off the type of device you’re looking at.
For Desktops and Laptops/Tablets:
·Desktops begin with the letter ‘D’ and will be followed by the orange tag. (e.g. A desktop has the orange tag 123456, the node name would be D123456)
·Laptops/Tablets begin with the letter ‘L‘ and will be followed by the orange tag. (e.g. A laptop has the orange tag 123456, the node name would be L123456)
For Networked Printers:
·The location is what determines the name of a networked printer when being created by IT as well as how many printers are located in the same room. (e.g. a networked printer is located in Academic Building 1, room 123, and is the only or first printer to be installed in the room. Its name would then be AB1123-1, the AB1 being the building, 123 being the room, and the -1 showing it was the first printer or only printer in that location that is networked.)
How to find the node name on a PC:
Method 1: You can find the node name at the login screen by typing ".\" in the username. Under the password it will say "logon to" and will have the node of the machine.
Method 2: If you are logged into the computer, you can go to the start menu, right click on Computer and click on properties. The computer name listed will be node name.
Method 3: If you are logged into the computer, you can open up command prompt and type "hostname" and enter. This will display the node name.
Method 4: If the client is logged into the computer, you can press the windows key + e to open File Explorer. The node name will be listed next to the C: Drive.
How to find the node name on a Mac:
Method 1: If you are logged into the computer, you can go to Settings, and under the General tab you can look at the ‘Name’ field and that will show the device.
Method 2: If you are logged into the computer, you can open up a Terminal window via the ‘Command’ + ‘Spacebar’ key combination and the node will appear at the beginning of the prompt.
How to find the node name of a printer:
Method 1: Networked printers will normally be labeled with a piece of tape that shows the network path with the name. (e.g. a networked printer has a piece of tape that reads \\print\AB1123-1, the name of the printer is therefor AB1123-1.)
Method 2: Lookup the IP address of the networked printer you are attempting to find the name for. This process varies on the printer model but can generally be found via the menu options that mention network settings. Once you have the IP address, you can look up the name via a Powershell or Terminal command using ‘nslookup IP ADDRESS’ command with IP address being replaced with the IP address you found on the printer.