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SR4A Hacking a comlink

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Medicineman

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« on: <03-30-16/1400:07> »
I've got a question about Hacking a comlink.
I'm pretty sure they only have an Admin account but you don't need to take the +6 Mod to hack that account.
But I can't find where that is written exactly.
Can You help me ?

HokaHey
Medicineman
http://english.bouletcorp.com/2013/08/02/the-long-journey/
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EltonJ

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« Reply #1 on: <03-30-16/1502:21> »
I think it should be in Unwired, but I'm not sure.

Herr Brackhaus

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« Reply #2 on: <03-30-16/1555:16> »
A commlink is a node, just like every other device, and as such the user can configure it to have different account levels.

Check out Unwired page 59 about PAN Hardware.

ETA:
Quote from: Unwired page 48
Nodes are the most important building blocks of the Matrix. Every computerized device able to execute programs and instructions is a node.

Quote from: Unwired page 48
Standard nodes are run by commlinks, terminals, home telecoms, and almost any object that is portable and capable of running a single persona and a number of programs or agents. Standard nodes use the rules given for nodes (see Device and Software Ratings, p. 206, SR4). They have standard processor limits.

Quote from: Unwired page 52
Every time a node interacts with another node, predefined Matrix protocols are invoked. The receiving node looks at account data, access rights, and status of the connection and then decides whether a request will be accepted or not.
The different levels (public, user, security, and admin, are defined in the following paragraphs on this page)

Quote from: Unwired page 48
The commlink is the so-called “hub” of the PAN. As a standard node with the best Signal rating (usually), it acts as the primary routing device in the network. It is also the device that the user directly accesses and engages their persona, and from which they make calls, send messages, and access other nodes. For more details, see Commlinks and Networking, p. 210, SR4.

You may be thinking of the sub-nodes slaved to a commlink, which are usually given the same access rights as the commlink account. This is described on page 58; a commlink is still a normal node, however, and if the user configures his commlink to need admin access to do anything then the hacker would need to try to get an admin account to do anything to it.
« Last Edit: <03-30-16/1600:21> by Herr Brackhaus »

Medicineman

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« Reply #3 on: <03-31-16/0236:24> »
thanks for the Resarch Herr Brackhaus, really i apreciate it
but it doesn't help :)
I'm looking for the passus that explicitely states that Comlinks only have an Admin account (not that you can configurate it that way)
....
I'm quite sure that it exists, ...but you know, the Memory is a tricky thing...

HougH!
Medicineman
http://english.bouletcorp.com/2013/08/02/the-long-journey/
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1V7fi5IqYw
---------------------------------------------------
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RYlAPjyNm8

Herr Brackhaus

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« Reply #4 on: <03-31-16/0635:25> »
I'm quite sure that doesn't exist in the English rules, Medicineman. Maybe it's in the German edition, but I can't verify that one way or another.

Accipiter

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« Reply #5 on: <04-02-16/1029:38> »
I'm not familiar with anything stating it in 4A.  I know Unwired (only because I'm re-reading the book for a game) states that Peripheral nodes (Unwired 48) generally only have Administration accounts - but they don't get the +6.

Hacking Electronics  (Unwired 103) also says devices mentions it again, sans the notation where they don't get the +6.  This section KS also a little dodgy on what defines a 'device'.

However, seeing as the Com is the hub of your PAN, and only accepts 1 persona, etc (Standard Node rules), I see the logic in making it administration only.

The kicker is, my Unwired book is only 4, and my rulebook is 4A.  So I can't promise I didn't miss something.

Herr Brackhaus

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« Reply #6 on: <04-02-16/1348:31> »
Good catch, Accipiter. Peripheral nodes do indeed have that limitation; that would likely be what you're looking for, Medicineman. Note that commlinks are not peripherals, however, and would not fall under this limitation unless you houseruled them. Comllinks are very specifically called out as Standard Nodes in the next paragraph, Accipiter.

Medicineman

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« Reply #7 on: <04-03-16/0200:28> »
thank  you Guys :)
( Sadly I already knew that a Peripheral Node is Not a comlink and I also knew about the Rules for Periphal Nodes.
I was so sure that it is the same for a comlink, but couldn't find it.... :( ).
The point has been settled Yesterday ( no Admin only without +6 to Hack) by the GM

with a finished Dance
Medicineman
http://english.bouletcorp.com/2013/08/02/the-long-journey/
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1V7fi5IqYw
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RYlAPjyNm8

Herr Brackhaus

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« Reply #8 on: <04-03-16/0938:11> »
That's a weird rule considering commlinks are standard nodes that follow the standard rules for accounts, but hey, your game, your rules.