NetBIOS Name Resolution

Legacy versions of Windows used NetBIOS names, not DNS names, to identify network hosts. NetBIOS name resolution uses the following mechanisms: Method Description

Using broadcasts, a computer sends out a broadcast request asking for the specified Broadcasts host to respond with its IP address. Because routers do not forward broadcasts, this method works only within a single subnet. WINS server Like a DNS server, a WINS server holds a database of NetBIOS names and corresponding IP addresses. When a host needs to resolve a NetBIOS name, it contacts the WINS server for the information.

Windows computers use broadcasts, a WINS server, or both for NetBIOS name resolution based on the NetBIOS node configuration. Node Type B-node (broadcasts) P-node M-node (mixed mode) H-node (hybrid mode) Description A client configured to use b-node uses only broadcasts. A WINS server will not be contacted, even if the client is configured with WINS server addresses. If a client is not configured with a WINS server address, it uses b-node for NetBIOS name resolution. A client configured to use p-node uses only a WINS server. Broadcasts are never used. A client configured to use m-node uses broadcasts first, then a WINS server if name resolution with broadcasts fails. A client configured to use h-node uses a WINS server first, then broadcasts if that fails. This is the default client setting if one or more WINS server addresses are configured on the client.

Be aware of the following regarding NetBIOS names and name resolution: NetBIOS names are limited to 15 characters. NetBIOS names are single-label names; they do not have additional domain information like DNS names. For this reason, NetBIOS names must be unique on the entire network. Windows clients attempt to first resolve names using DNS. If DNS fails and if the name is a single-label name of 15 characters or less, NetBIOS name resolution is tried based on the node type configuration. Configure DHCP options to set the NetBIOS node type for DHCP clients. o 0x1 = b-node o 0x2 = p-node o 0x4 = m-node o 0x8 = h-node The Lmhosts file is a static file on each host that holds NetBIOS names and IP addresses. If your network has only Windows 2000/XP/2003 clients and uses Active Directory, you can rely solely on DNS for name resolution. Windows 9x, ME, and NT 4 must have NetBIOS enabled. To disable NetBIOS name resolution, disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) using one of the following methods: o Disable NetBT on each client. Edit the IPv4 TCP/IP properties and click the Advanced button. On the WINS tab, select Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP. o Configure the DHCP server to disable NetBT. In the Advanced DHCP options of the server or scope, select Microsoft Options as the vendor scope. Set the Microsoft Disable Netbios Option to 0x1.

On each client, make sure that the client is configured to get NetBIOS settings from the DHCP server (this is the default). If necessary, choose the default setting on the WINS tab in Advanced TCT/IP properties.