Re: [PLUG] Samba/DNS question

[Paul <gyoza@comcast.net>]

Eugene Smiley wrote:

> > The Window$ computers should be config'ed with the IP address of
> > theWINS server, so they will always look to the Samba server first
> > for NetBIOS name resolution.  (It will not have any effect on DNS
> > lookups.)  The election process that you're eluding to will be
> > bypassed as all clients will defer to WINS.
> >    
>
> Why set it up in 3-4 places when you can have it handled in one? "Oops
> I'm changing the IP address of the fileserver. Darn I have to change
> it on all these other machines..." Keep it simple.
>
>  

Elections depend on broadcasting.  If broadcasting is effective on your 
network, there is no need for WINS.  WINS serves the same purpose for 
NetBIOS names as DNS servers serve for host names.  As you might know, 
DNS servers have static IPs.  The addresses of the servers may be 
provided to a client with a DHCP lease, so if a server's address changes 
the clients are updated automatically.  Dynamic DNS wouldn't hurt either.

This is making things way more complicated than they need to be.  A 
properly configured Samba server will integrate with Window$ computers 
by broadcasting alone.  Assuming they are on the same subnet and the 
broadcasts are not being blocked somehow.  WINS overcomes the 
limitations and inefficiencies of broadcasting.
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