AW: AW: Using remote announce w/ security=domain

[Kuppinger - Martin Kuppinger]

> 1. In this thread some people said that you should usually have several
> NT WINS Servers when using NT? Why? I never had any problems in smaller
> environments with using just one WINS-Server and H-Nodes. Usually works
> fine. 

If you want reliable services, you need more than one NT server. Take just
a small look on BUGTRAQ and you see where NT is broken.
[>]  If you want reliable services, you need always more than one server (even with AIX, even with an IBM 390). And Richard, like you should know, I'm very aware of the shortcomings of Windows NT. But if I look at the reality, the most important thing isn't the operating system, but the administrator. But let's stop this discussion here - it's not the right place for operating systems discussions.

If you want to install a new mouse on you WINS server you disrupt the
service for all your users (reboot !).
[>]  When do I need to do this? But you're right: You have to reboot NT in by far to much situations today.

Therefore you need a couple of NT boxes.

> 2. Don't believe what Microsoft is telling on WINS configuration
> (especially replication). In most situations (especially on networks
> with small bandwidth WAN connections between), there might be better,
> more effective solutions using combinations of NetBIOS-Broadcasts,
> LMHOSTS and WINS if you need to use NetBIOS Name Resolution. 

This is not a good idea. 

LMHOSTS is evil, because it has to be maintained on all machines on your
network. In practice, the LMHOSTS update will be done only on machines
which need immediatly access to a particular ressouce. Then, two days
later your telephone rings... 
[>]  I think that's primarily a matter of planning. And in more centralized networks there are several technologies to do that job (login scripts and so on). In my practice, when LMHOSTS is used, then with updates in a very centralized manner.

Broadcasts are also not the best idea, because they don't scale, they can
produce a lot of network traffic. They also breaks location transparency
on you network, making things more difficult then they have to be.
[>]  Yes and no. Broadcasts aren't the best way. But if you look at real world situations, there are a lot of companies (especially here in Europe) where WINS replication over small bandwidth links isn't the best way. And the name resolution broadcasts don't produce very much traffic. WINS is an easy way. But it's definitely not always the right solution.

[>]  Kind regards,
Martin