Is Samba WINS really necessary?

[ftmiranda]

Hello,

I'm running a network with 14 (Windows 2000)stations and 1 Linux Server.

I already set up a PDC (Primary Domain Controller) in my Linux Server.

Everything works just fine!

My question is.... What good will do if I use my Linux Server to handle as a WINS Server using Samba?

What are the advantages of doing that?

Thanks A lot

 

[John Lewis]

WINS is used for netbios name resolution in a workgroup environment. If you have a PDC, you don't need it.

 

[DanMc]

With such a small network, as long as your DNS works well, you don't need WINS. All names will be looked up over DNS.

Each PC's computername should match the DNS name, especially the server.

 

[ftmiranda]

Well... I don't have a DNS server here, only a PDC.
Is WINS still necessary?

Should I consider what mhkwood said?
"WINS is used for netbios name resolution in a workgroup environment. If you have a PDC, you don't need it." ??

 

[predamarcel]

No,
if you have some PCs over 2 or more networks you will always need a WINS server.

look thread
thread581-451166 a single small subnet (less 50 computers)
you don't need WINS.

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http://marcell.hypermart.net/

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[ftmiranda]

Thanks for all the help so far...

Let me see if I understand, I only have one topology of network, so I don't need a WINS server, is that right?

Actually I have 2 ethernet networks here, one is 10M/Bits an the other is 100/Mbits.
Both networks are part of he same DOMAIN.

In MyNetwork Neighbourhood I see all the other machines in the network, as long as the file and printer sharing option is enabled (on each machine).

I think I'm lacking a little bit of knowledge here, what good does a WINS server do on a PDC (Primary Domain Controller) ?
Is WINS necessary in my case? Witch case is WINS necessary?

Thanks in advance...

 

[predamarcel]

is not necessary.
It is necessary where are 2 TCP/IP subnetworks, over a router.
For example
#1 subnet 192.168.101.0/24
#2 subnet 192.168.100.0/24

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http://marcell.hypermart.net/

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[charleshagen]

Does not sound like you need it.

Charles

 

[saahg]

SAMBA WINS is the best solution for REMOTE PC's to find the "SAMBA Server". Shares on the Linux server can be seen seamlessly across the routers by implementing WINS. There are alternate methods such as PC Address Helper under Cisco's IOS but the advantage of WINS is you stay within the TCP/IP realm.

Respectfully,
Gordon Haas

 

[clonny2]

If you are not having browwsing problems now, then you do not need it.

However, you can reduce the amount of netbios traffic on your networ if you have one.

The way CIFS clients work is that they are constantly sending our broadcast messages to know where everyone is and who is the browse master. Everytime a client comes up, there is a new election taking place. If you have a wins server then there will not be a need for these elections, everyone will know where to go to find the browse list. IE the PDC. If you want to make the Linux PDC the wins server, then
1: ;;win server =
2: win support = yes
3: browse master = yes
4: os level =255

Then on either the DHCP server, or all of the windows clients point to the WINS Server.
However, if you are not having browsing difficulties now, then you most likely don't need a wins server.