Master Browser on Subnet with no DC

We have a few subnets which do not have a DC however are pointing to sites
that do have a DC in ADSites and Services. They are able to obtain DNS, DHCP
services without problems however computers on these subnets are holding
master browser elections because there are no DC's on the subnet it's self.
How can we prevent this without putting a DC on these subnets (which is not
an option for us)

Thanks

"Shaun Guthrie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0AF6C9DD-2724-4BC0-8C03-(E-Mail Removed)...
> We have a few subnets which do not have a DC however are pointing to sites
> that do have a DC in ADSites and Services. They are able to obtain DNS,
> DHCP
> services without problems however computers on these subnets are holding
> master browser elections because there are no DC's on the subnet it's
> self.
> How can we prevent this without putting a DC on these subnets (which is
> not
> an option for us)

Your options are:

1. Configure WINS Services to run on a Server (doesn't matter where it
is) and add that IP# to the TCP/IP "specs" on those machines. WINS can be
located anywhere, it doesn't matter,...it just has to be "reachable".

2. Forget it and let them have their browser elections. They will not
be able to resolve Netbios Names on any other subnet but there own.

Also, because WINS traffic is "directed" and not "broadcasted",...having
WINS reduces the amount of broadcasts on every LAN segment that it effects.


--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft,
or anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
-----------------------------------------------------

"Shaun Guthrie" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:0AF6C9DD-2724-4BC0-8C03-(E-Mail Removed)...
> We have a few subnets which do not have a DC however are pointing to sites
> that do have a DC in ADSites and Services. They are able to obtain DNS,
> DHCP
> services without problems however computers on these subnets are holding
> master browser elections because there are no DC's on the subnet it's
> self.
> How can we prevent this without putting a DC on these subnets (which is
> not
> an option for us)
>
> Thanks
>
>
>

The first thing you need to realize is that browser elections have nothing
to do with DNS, DHCP or Active directory. The computer browser service is
an NT legacy app which relies on Netbios names and LAN broadcasts. Because
it relies on LAN broadcasts it does not work in a WAN, because broadcasts do
not cross routers or WAN links.

To get it to work you need a network-wide WINS setup (ie either all
machines registering with the same WINS server or a number of WINS servers
replicating). WINS allows the browse masters to contact each other directly
without relying on broadcasts.

Segment browsers do not need to be DCs. They do not even need to be
servers. For a description of the computer browser service in a segmented
network see KB 150800 and 188001 and the troubleshooter at KB 188305 .

I have the opposite problem. Our subnets are connected with VPN routers. (Netgear FVS336G, FVS318) Initially it works as it is supposed to, with an elected subnet master browser. Then I get a message in the error log of the client that there has been an election and the domain master browser has been elected and the subnet master browser is shut down. I have a feeling its to do with enabling NETBIOS over the IPSEC link, its acting like a bridge, but I'm not sure.

Suggestions appreciated

Regards

RB

On Dec 26, 6:37*am, ROBERT BAIRD wrote:
> I have the opposite problem. Our subnets are connected with VPN routers. (Netgear FVS336G, FVS318) Initially it works as it is supposed to, with an elected subnet master browser. Then I get a message in the error log of theclient that there has been an election and the domain master browser has been elected and the subnet master browser is shut down. I have a feeling its to do with enabling NETBIOS over the IPSEC link, its acting like a bridge, but I'm not sure.
>
> Suggestions appreciated
>
> Regards
>
> RB

On all the machines on the subnet EXCEPT the one you designate to be
master browser, go into the Service Manager (Start > Run >
services.msc) and Stop and then Disable the Computer Browser service.
This will stop any more elections taking place on the network, as
there is only one candidate.

Alister

On Dec 26, 6:37*am, ROBERT BAIRD wrote:
> I have the opposite problem. Our subnets are connected with VPN routers. (Netgear FVS336G, FVS318) Initially it works as it is supposed to, with an elected subnet master browser. Then I get a message in the error log of theclient that there has been an election and the domain master browser has been elected and the subnet master browser is shut down. I have a feeling its to do with enabling NETBIOS over the IPSEC link, its acting like a bridge, but I'm not sure.
>
> Suggestions appreciated
>
> Regards
>
> RB

You might like to read this as well:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc767154.aspx

which explains the hierarchy used to determine which browser wins an
election.

Alister