Internet Explorer Name Resolution

ID: Q143193

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Information Server version 1.0

Most World Wide Web (WWW) Browsers running on non-Microsoft network operation systems rely on a Domain Name Server (DNS) and a Hosts file to resolve Host names to IP addresses, even if the Web client and the Web server are on the same subnet.

However, Microsoft Internet Explorer, does not only use the DNS and HOSTS file, but uses Windows Internet Name Service (WINS), the LMHOSTS file, and NetBIOS broadcasts for name resolution when it is running on Microsoft network operating systems such as Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows for Workgroups with Microsoft TCP/IP stacks installed. However, a NetBIOS broadcast resolves the name only if the WWW server is running on Windows NT and both WWW Server and WWW client is on the same subnet.

For additional information on name resolution, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q108295 : TCP/IP Name Resolution

Q138086 : Windows NT 3.51: Reverse Name Resolution for WINS Clients

Additional query words: prodiis

Keywords : kbusage iisgeneral
Version : 1.0
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :