Re: Problem seeing all machines in workgroup

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From: Bill Grant (not.available_at_online)
Date: 08/08/04 

Date: Sun, 8 Aug 2004 11:39:13 +1000

     Exactly what the DMB role is is explained in the section (not
surprisingly called "Domain Master Browser Role" ) in KB 188001 . Only the
PDC has the ability to get the browse lists from the segment master
browsers, merge them into a networkwide browse list, then return the
combined browse list to the segment master browsers.

      Exactly what happens in a segmented network which is all in one
workgroup is a situation I haven't ever struck, but I suspect it will have
problems getting a combined browse list. Even with WINS, my guess is that
each segment will only see the local segment master browser.

    Another problem with a workgroup only setup is the way the clients
interact with WINS. To get a browse list from WINS, the client usually sends
a name request for <domainname 1B> to WINS. If there is no domain set up,
this entry doesn't exist, so it resorts to broadcast on the local segment to
find a browse master. This is one reason why remote access clients cannot
browse a LAN which is only a workgroup, not a domain. The WINS lookup for
<domainname 1B> fails, and so does broadcasting! There doesn't seem to be
a way to make the client look for a <name 1D> entry in WINS.

    So basically both the browser service itself and the way that the client
queries WINS assume that there is a domain set up.

    Bill Grant
MVP - Networking

"Ace Fekay [MVP]"
<PleaseSubstituteMyActualFirstName&LastNameHere@hotmail.com> wrote in
message news:O9FKydEfEHA.704@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> In news:uzhD6SDfEHA.2604@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl,
> Bill Grant <not.available@online> made a post then I commented below
>
> And then again, since I never tried it, I may have jumped the gun on this
> one!
>
> Ace
>
>