Decoding a host address

which part is the origin (beginning or end ?)

[fom2001uk]

Here's an example of a host

sac2.fastsearch.net

Does this mean the visitor is from Fast Search or from SAC2 ?

Here's another

inktomi2-ren.server.ntl.com

This one really confuses me. Is it the Inktomi spider or just someone with NTL as their ISP ? (if so, what's the connection with Inktomi ??)

[rpking]

>> Does this mean the visitor is from Fast Search or from SAC2 ?

Both... sac2 is a sub-domain of the fastsearch.net site. It could point to a particular machine, or a sub-section of the main site, or may have a particular purpose such as mail or ftp. You simply cannot tell from the host name alone.

>> inktomi2-ren.server.ntl.com

You are correct in assuming that this is somebody using the NTL network. The Inktomi connection? - Inktomi produce networking services as well as search services.