IMEI, otherwise known as International Mobile Equipment Identification, is a series of numbers that identifies key elements of the phone that it can be registered to a single user and reported stolen if necessary. This IMEI is also used for identification in phone tracing methods and terrorist activities identification. This number is printed or etched onto the phone behind the battery so that it may be found when necessary.
The information that the IMEI is able to store on the phone is amazing. Not only is each number different, but each number can explain the origin of the phone, the model, and the serial number. This can come in handy if the phone is stolen or if the phone needs to be used as evidence for any legal action. The original purpose of this IMEI number was so that if the phone were to get stolen, the phone owner could call the network provider and have the phone blocked so that it could not be used with any provider. This purpose has been expanded to cover phone identification for legal processes.
In addition to the IMEI being located behind or under the battery, one can locate the number on the phone. For those new phones, one simply has to dial the phone and wait for it to answer. For phones that have been refurbished, one should check to see if the number the phone gives verses the engraved number are the same and should contact your provider if not. If the IMEI numbers between the phone and the engraving do not match, one should call their provider and ensure that it is not going to cause problems later for them.
Because the IMEI is the identification number of the phone and is often used to deter phone theft, it is illegal in many places to own the equipment or to perform the act of physically changing the IMEI on a phone. The act of or the ability to change the IMEI on a phone would make it possible to use a stolen phone that has been banned by the phone service providers. This then encourages theft and makes it difficult to track the phone. In some cases, this can be punishable in a court of law.
To guard against the purposeful changing of the numbers and the incorrect entry of an IMEI number, the phone companies have created a check number that can be derived from the numbers in the IMEI. This number helps by making it impossible for an individual to change then numbers without upsetting the charge mouth.
ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is an Internet protocol that is focused on the control of messages and the reporting of errors. In design, ICMP is configured to provide these functions as a mediator between a gateway and a host server. The presence of ICMP helps to protect the integrity of the messages that are relayed back and forth between the two devices, as well as make efficient use of the Internet Protocol datagrams that are present.
Being one of the core protocols within the overall protocol suite, ICMP takes on the direct responsibility of processing error messages. This can be especially helpful in a networked environment, as ICMP makes it possible for a server to send out an error message to all connected workstations in the event that a program is taken offline or is temporary unavailable for some reason. This makes ICMP a valuable tool in making the most use of the operating system interface on the network, without tying up a lot of resources at the same time.
How Does ICMP Work?
The beauty of being the go-between for the host server and various connected devices is that ICMP can encapsulate the message in a way that protects the content, but does not use up lots of resources. When a message is received by ICMP, the protocol places the entire message in single IP datagram, and then forward the datagram to the destination. This special routing relieves some of the usage from the more standard protocols and helps to keep resources open and available to the other protocols. Overall, this aids in the total efficiency of the network.
How Do I Get ICMP?
Chances are you already have ICMP in place if you work within a network environment, or are using a computer system that has the ability to be linked into a network. Installation on systems that do not have ICMP is not difficult, but owing to the widespread use of the protocol, there is not much chance that an outside installation would ever be needed. Just to be sure, check with a technician about the use of ICMP on your network.