should i database user hostname, isp and stuff?

Hi,

I have a quick question for the CodingForums community-
I have a website and im wondering if i should store the users hostname, isp, and general IP information into my sql database?
Like i'm not sure if i should just do live lookup with the gethostbyaddr(); function or if i should just do it live and save some space in the database.

any suggestions?

A users' hostname, isp, and particularly IP are unreliable data to begin with, I wouldn't even rely on them for the duration of a session. I suppose it comes down to why you would want to keep them.

why database? you have server logs to do that stuff.
if ur using apache, check logging settings and related modules
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/logs.html

a hint: include cookies in your log format. this way you should be able to trace-back every record.

I have a system that stops proxies and vpn usage on my site as it violates the terms of service with the advertisers. I'm not so sure if i should database that info or if i should do live lookup. What do you think?
As for the server logs, i have these just for reference to ensure the user is not a vpn user (eg. ThePlanet.Net Internet Services) in my admin panel instead of checking the server logs. Do you think a live lookup would be better or should i set it in the database?