NBNS (WINS) intentions [WAS: Re: (no subject)]

Christopher R. Hertel crh at nts.umn.edu
Mon Oct 30 16:13:35 GMT 2000


[Charset iso-8859-1 unsupported, filtering to ASCII...]
> > You really only need to WINS if you are running Windows and Samba across a
> > multi-subnet network ...
> 
> WINS is intended for TWO situations :
> 1. Multi-subnet networks
> 2. networks with lots of hosts
> 
> Once you have a couple of hundred machines broadcast resolution can start to
> have a noticable effect on a network.

Option 2 is only valid if you have set every node to operate in "P"  mode. 
This is not the default.  An "M" node will broadcast before it tries the
NBNS and an "H" node still does broadcast registration & refresh.  There's
also the broadcasting of the Browser service to consider. 

In other words, if you have a large single-segment LAN you have other
problems, so you gain something from having an NBNS but not nearly enough. 
If you have the NBNS running, then set it up as a DMB as well (Samba can
do this) and segment your LAN.  That's where you will gain the most.

Chris -)-----

-- 
Christopher R. Hertel -)-----                   University of Minnesota
crh at nts.umn.edu              Networking and Telecommunications Services

    Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them
    with your hands...you choose them as your guides, and following
    them you will reach your destiny.  --Carl Schultz





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