DNS Resolvers Fail on NetBIOS Names When Using Domain Suffixes

 Last reviewed: March 2, 1998
Article ID: Q162844

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

Windows Domain Name Service (DNS) resolvers fail to return IP addresses for NetBIOS name queries when Domain Name Suffix Search Order entries are present.

CAUSE

When the resolver is configured to use domain suffixes, the domain name on the TCP/IP property sheet in the Network tool in Control Panel is ignored.

When the resolver queries a NetBIOS name, the domain name (as specified in the TCP/IP properties of the Network Control Panel) will be appended to the requested NetBIOS name, which is sent to the DNS server. For example, when the client is configured with a domain name of "microsoft.com" and types "ping test" from a command prompt, a name query for "test.microsoft.com." is sent to the DNS Server.

The DNS server (assuming it is the Start of Authority [SOA] for "microsoft.com") will then search for an A record for "test". If the A record exists for "test" in the "microsoft.com" domain, we return that address to the resolver.

If the name is not resolved, and WINS lookup is enabled on the Windows NT 4.0 DNS server for the microsoft.com zone, DNS will query WINS for the name, "test". If WINS has a registration for the NetBIOS name "test", it will return the IP address to the DNS server, and the DNS server will return the IP address to the resolver.

However, if the resolver has domain suffixes defined in the DNS properties of the Network tool in Control Panel, the Domain: entry is ignored. If domain suffixes are defined, the resolver appends the suffixes defined in the domain suffix search order. For example, if the client types "ping test," and the following suffixes are defined: 

   .mil
   .gov
   .com
the DNS resolver will query for test.mil, test.gov, and test.com, instead of appending the domain name and querying for "test.microsoft.com" first. If we have a DNS server with WINS resolution enabled, DNS will not attempt to query WINS because the DNS server that we are using is probably not the SOA for .mil, .gov, or .com.

RESOLUTION

Make the domain name the first entry in the domain suffix search order box.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information as it becomes available. 

Keywords          : kbbug4.00 NTSrvWkst nttcp
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Platform          : winnt
Issue type        : kbbug

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Last reviewed: March 2, 1998
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