Inside Tufts University Information Technology

Network Engineering

Tufts' IP Database (Cardinal)

What is Cardinal ?
Cardinal is a database that tracks assigned IP addresses and DNS names. Ideally, it tracks the Responsible Party and MAC (ethernet) address for any statically assigned address as well, though that information is sometimes inaccurate.
What does Cardinal allow me to do?
Lookup information about any known MAC address, IP address, IP subnet, DNS name, DNS zone, or user.
Request a new IP address and/or DNS name.
Request that a computer with an existing connection be moved to a new subnet or zone.
Register a DHCP client.

What do I need in order to use Cardinal?

  1. You must have a valid entry in the Human Resources ATAMS database. Every Tufts employees should have a valid ATAMS entry, but occasionally new employees experience a one to two day lag time as the databases are updated.
  2. You must have a Granite account.
  3. You must be an FSP or obtain special authorization from the NOC to use Cardinal! If you are not on the FSP list maintained by the UIT Helpdesk, you must have a letter from your Department Head explaining your need for authorization sent to:
    Tufts Network Engineering, attn. IPDB Administrators
    TAB
    169 Holland Street
    Somerville, MA 02144

    No email or telephone calls requesting authorization, please.

  4. You must understand the fundamentals of IP addressing, DNS, DHCP and client configuration if you are requesting IP addresses. A review session and assessment are given by UIT Training and Documentation. UIT staff may obtain read access only until the assessment test is passed. In general, desktop workstations should be configured to use DHCP; printers and servers should use static IP addresses.
How long does it take to get a new IP address ?
Requests for static addresses are processed in a batch mode twice a week.
DHCP client registrations are processed automatically every 10 minutes and should be "active" within 20 minutes.