How to get a unique computer identifier in Java (like disk ID or motherboard ID)?

Question

I'd like to get an id unique to a computer with Java, on Windows, MacOS and, if possible, Linux. It could be a disk UUID, motherboard S/N...

Runtime.getRuntime().exec can be used (it is not an applet).

Ideas?

Answer 1

It is common to use the MAC address is associated with the network card.

The address is available in Java 6 through through the following API:

Java 6 Docs for Hardware Address

I haven't used it in Java, but for other network identification applications it has been helpful.