How to see FDTI chip serial number for board identification: Arduino with MATLAB support pacage

I am looking to eventually program multiple boards with different programs and responsibilities and it seems that it would be useful to know which boards are which automatically. This allows for a synchronized system on PC and Arduino even with continual removals and reconnections. Many forums on the Arduino site cite this method as the surest one. I could use EEPROM but this would severely limit the program's portability and usefulness. I also know that it is is at least possible to access the FDTI chip of USB devices in Matlab and I assume that any device that connects must make its ID known to the host. Thanks -Isaac Moore

First-year MSE student. University of KY.