Master Browser Issues!!

[DKMOORE]

Recently we have had trouble with browsing for computers in the "Network Places"
We are running a Win2K server- On the Server we are running DNS, WINS, DHCP, RAS...
The problem all seemed to start after installing RAS, prior to that everything seemed to work fine. So my assumption of browser may be incorrect.

Symptoms-
When browsing the Windows Networking - Domain
One minute all computers are there, close the application and go back a minute later all are gone.
Nslookup , ping all work using the UNC \\hostname also works, just cant browse for it.

I have read alot about browser issues - following is a post of my browstat status, and syslog error

Status for domain SVC on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BAA6A20D-945E-4B8D-8C19-213B60FD8D56}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master browser name is: SVCPDC
Master browser is running build 2195
1 backup servers retrieved from master SVCPDC
\\SVCPDC
There are 27 servers in domain SVC on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BAA6A20D-945E-4B8D-8C19-213B60FD8D56}
There are 2 domains in domain SVC on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{BAA6A20D-945E-4B8D-8C19-213B60FD8D56}


Status for domain SVC on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{3B5B9010-8F7A-4B73-8249-3F573A080A5B}
Browsing is active on domain.
Master name cannot be determined from GetAdapterStatus. Using \\SVCPDC
Master browser is running build 2195
1 backup servers retrieved from master SVCPDC
\\SVCPDC
There are 27 servers in domain SVC on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{3B5B9010-8F7A-4B73-8249-3F573A080A5B}
There are 2 domains in domain SVC on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{3B5B9010-8F7A-4B73-8249-3F573A080A5B}

Syslog -

Error 8003
The master browser has received a server announcement from the computer "XXXX" that believes
that it is the master browser for the domain on transport NetBT_Tcpip_{BAA6A20D-945E-4B8D-.
The master browser is stopping or an election is being forced.

I am a newbie and this doesn't mean much to me, but it is obvious that a computer is trying to become a master browser...but is this really causing my issue? I don't think so.

thanks for help in advance.

 

[wdoellefeld]

Master browser issues can be a pain to troubleshoot, your not alone.

Error 8003
The master browser has received a server announcement from the computer "XXXX" that believes that it is the master browser for the domain on transport NetBT_Tcpip_{BAA6A20D-945E-4B8D-. The master browser is stopping or an election is being forced.

You can ignore this particular error. It's not the cause of the problem.

One thing to check is netbios setting on your clients. Having a nameserver setup in your DHCP scopes may help as well.

 

[NetIntruder]

Master Browser does not work properly on servers that are homed to multiple subnets. If you have more than one server, set the registry on that box to be the browser and your issues will go away.

~Intruder~

"The Less You Do, The Less Can Go Wrong"

 

[ReddLefty]

Maybe this FAQ can help:

Master Browser issues faq96-3728



"In space, nobody can hear you click..."

 

[DKMOORE]

Thanks for your posts - wdoellefeld , NetIntruder , ReddLefty -

I am confident that the clients are setup correctly. This issue is a recent occurance (it seemed to begin after installing and configuring RAS on our PDC) it was not a problem prior, and the DHCP/DNS/WINS have all been in place and working fine since early 2003.

I have DNS, Name Server, WINS/NBNS Server, NetBios over TCP/IP NBDD all included the the DHCP Domain scope options.

They all point to the PDC -

We are using a single Subnet, nothing fancy - I just cant seem to figure this out...
I think I have a 2000 Pro Resource Kit and will try to find the "Browse Monitor" utility, but the more I think about the less I feel it is the problem.

Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ReddLefty]

Your server is most likely Multi-homed. If you do have 2 network cards, try removing the NETBIOS over TCP/IP in the TCP/IP properties on the 2nd network card (the one that is less likely to be used for network browsing).




"In space, nobody can hear you click..."

 

[Guest_imported]

I already had those issues 2 years and a 1/2 ago.
The issue had to do with the ipfilterdriver and rras service on a multihomed server(take a look at

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;191611).

I had also a lot of services on that server (wins, dns, all AD roles, RRAS, file sharing, proxy, etc...) and moreover was PDC (take a look at

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221210)

A possible workaround is to have a scheduled task (less than every 15 min)wich runs a 'browstat' command (found in reskit 2k)on the correct adapter (cause election)
You also have to add on your .bat many 'nbtstat -RR' and 'net view /domain:mydomain' (at least 10) after the browstat command.
And be aware in that configuration you have to carefully and periodically save your wins database
A bit tricky, but it worked fine at last.