Host ID

Data Structures
struct	HostID
	Host identification information. More...

Typedefs
typedef struct HostID	HostID
	Host identification information.

Functions
CX_C void	hostId (HostID *id)

Detailed Description

Provides a stable, privacy-preserving host identifier that remains consistent across application runs on the same machine. The ID is generated by hashing platform-specific system identifiers (such as machine IDs, BIOS UUIDs, or configuration files) to create a 256-bit unique identifier.

The host ID is computed once per application run and cached. The implementation attempts multiple platform-specific identification methods in order of reliability:

• Windows: BIOS UUID, machine registry keys, CryptoAPI MachineGUID, or computer name
• Unix/Linux: Machine-wide hostid file, per-user entropy file, or computer name

The hashing approach ensures end-user privacy while maintaining stability.

Example:

HostID hid;
hostId(&hid);
// hid.id contains 256-bit unique identifier
// hid.source indicates which platform method was used

Function Documentation

hostId()

CX_C void hostId

(

HostID *

id

)

void hostId(HostID *id)

Retrieves the stable host identifier for the current machine.

This function computes the host ID once on first call and caches it for subsequent calls. The identifier is stable across application runs on the same host but may change if underlying system identifiers change (e.g., hardware replacement, OS reinstall).

Parameters

id	Output parameter that receives the host identification