WINS Quesiton on Server 2003

I have a question ON WINS on Server 2003.

We have a network with 2000 computers on it. Most are 2000, XP and
2003. We do have a couple of 98 machines out on the network.

My question is, we use static IP addressing for ALL our machines.
I am in the process of removing 3 WINS servers on our network and
keeping 3. We have 6 sites and 7 DC's. Microsoft recommends less WINS
servers.

With that, i was curious about the WINS setting in TCP/IP panel -->
advanced --> WINS Tab.

Would it be best, on machines and servers to 'enable NetBIOS over TCP/
IP' since we are using static IP addressing, and not using the
'default' setting?

It would seem to me that would be best.

Just wanted to get some feedback.

Cheers,

J

Jason,

In your case I would enable NetBIOS over tcp/ip, but I would also make sure
that workstations are able to contact WINS servers. On a network your size,
you will want to control broadcast traffic as well as to make workstation
resources visible across routed boundaries and VLANS.

I'd be interested to know why you've decided to use staticly assigned IP
addresses as they have proven to reduce costs while not affecting security or
use in even much bigger networks.

An additional thing you might want to look at setting is node type so that
workstations will try DNS before looking to WINS or broadcasting to the
master browser. Of course, without DHCP you'll need to push that via
registry merge or workstation management software.

Best Regards,
--
Ryan Hanisco
MCSE, MCTS: SQL 2005, Project+
Chicago, IL

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"Jason W." wrote:

> I have a question ON WINS on Server 2003.
>
> We have a network with 2000 computers on it. Most are 2000, XP and
> 2003. We do have a couple of 98 machines out on the network.
>
> My question is, we use static IP addressing for ALL our machines.
> I am in the process of removing 3 WINS servers on our network and
> keeping 3. We have 6 sites and 7 DC's. Microsoft recommends less WINS
> servers.
>
> With that, i was curious about the WINS setting in TCP/IP panel -->
> advanced --> WINS Tab.
>
> Would it be best, on machines and servers to 'enable NetBIOS over TCP/
> IP' since we are using static IP addressing, and not using the
> 'default' setting?
>
> It would seem to me that would be best.
>
> Just wanted to get some feedback.
>
> Cheers,
>
> J
>
>

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. I will respond to some questions and
answers inline, below.

On Jun 2, 12:20 pm, Ryan Hanisco
<RyanHani...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Jason,
>
> In your case I would enable NetBIOS over tcp/ip, but I would also make sure
> that workstations are able to contact WINS servers. On a network your size,
> you will want to control broadcast traffic as well as to make workstation
> resources visible across routed boundaries and VLANS.

Yes. Exactly. Broadcast traffic is a concern, so I am trying to limit
that as much as possible.
For 'NetBIOS over tcp/ip', that should be enabled on ALL clients AND
servers? Or just the WINS servers and clients?
We are in the process of doing a complete, MAJOR overhaul to our
entire corporate network. When I say overhaul, a HUGE one..

>
> I'd be interested to know why you've decided to use staticly assigned IP
> addresses as they have proven to reduce costs while not affecting security or
> use in even much bigger networks.

This is very complicated to explain. But in a nutshell, we have our
parent company that has been around for awhile. They like to do things
their way. They are basically our ISP if you will and issue us subnets
for a Class B that we use for all clients and servers. It is maddening
really. I have been working with our Network guys (another project I
am involved with) and we are trying to get to DHCP and RFC 1918
private IP addressing. It is really complex, and to be honest a "Royal
PITA". hehehe

>
> An additional thing you might want to look at setting is node type so that
> workstations will try DNS before looking to WINS or broadcasting to the
> master browser. Of course, without DHCP you'll need to push that via
> registry merge or workstation management software.

Interesting idea. I will look into that.


If I may follow up with another question. It is in regards to WINS
statistics.

I have configured the WINS server at our HQ office to be our hub, and
all the sites to be the spokes. I did this in the WINS snap-in and
setting the replication partners to all the other sites. I made sure
that the other sites only replicate to our HQ WINS server.


Is that the correct way to set that up?


ok...so looking at some statistics today on our HQ WINS server, I was
a little alarmed.


Do these look right?


Total Queries: 500,525
Records Found: 33,431
Records Not found: 467,094


Total Releases: 1,975
Records Found: 1,971
Records Not found: 4


Unique Registrations: 1,568
Conflicts: 1,248
Renewals: 5,775


Group Registrations: 1,879
Conflicts: 383
Renewals: 4,176


Total registrations received: 3,447


In the WINS Partner replication area, I show the WINS server for the
sites. There are no replication failures.


Does this look right?

I appreciate it.

Jason