Using Packetyzer

[DTSMAN]

I just started using Packetyzer. Trying to diagnose a small network. Not sure I am using it correctly. But I have one computer on our network generating most of the packet information.

NBNS: Registration NB JoesLaptop<1f>

Out of 15 computers, what is this one doing to generate this message over and over?

Bo

Remember,
If the women don't find you handsome,
they should at least find you handy.
(Red Green)

http://www.redgreen.com

 

[LawnBoy]

It's the Microsoft way. I assume that you are not running a WINS server.

The NBNS part stands for NetBios Name Server. NetBios is the mechanism that populates computer names in Network Neighborhood, and allows resource sharing. Some pc must act as the registrar.

If you run a WINS server, all machines know where it is and register themselves with that server. Without a WINS server, one machine on the network is chosen at random to be the Master Browser that all other machines register themselves with. Inevitably the Master Browser ends up being the machine that has been running the longest.

What you are seeing is the machine named joeslaptop advertising itself to the other machines as the Master Browser so they will know who to register with. If you turn off joeslaptop, within about 10 minutes you'll see a different pc elected as Master Browser and then it will start advertising.

NetBios communications are frequently refered to as a splatterfest.

HTH.