WINS Registry Parameters for Windows 2000

ID: Q251067

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server

SUMMARY

This article gives a list of parameters for Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) on Windows 2000 Server that you can modify using Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe or Regedit.exe). You can configure some of these parameters by using Microsoft Management Console (MMC) for WINS.

MORE INFORMATION

The Registry parameters for WINS service are specified under the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Parameters

This key lists all the non-replication related parameters needed to configure a WINS server. It also contains a \Datafiles subkey, which lists all the files that are used by WINS server to initialize and reinitialize its local database.

BackupDirPath

Data Type: REG_SZ
Range: path name
Default: %SystemRoot%\system32\wins\backup

Description: Specifies the path to the backup folder.

BurstHandling

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: This key determines whether the WINS server uses burst handling to send success responses to the clients in the queue. If the value of this entry is 0, the WINS server does not support burst handling. If the value of this entry is 1, the WINS server supports burst handling.

BurstQueSize

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: Valid values are 50-5000
Default: 500

Description: Sets the maximum number of name registration and refresh queries that are stored in the server's intake queue before burst handling is activated by the WINS server. This value has no effect where burst handling is disabled.

ChlMaxNoOfRetries

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Default: 3

Description: This parameter determines the number of retries a WINS Server does for the name challenge query.

DbFileNm

Data Type: REG_EXPAND_SZ
Range: path name
Default: %SystemRoot%\system32\wins\wins.mdb

Description: Specifies the full path name for the WINS database file. This entry appears in the registry only when you use the WINS console to establish a database backup path.

DoBackupOnTerm

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Specifies to back up the database automatically when you stop the WINS service.

DoStaticDataInit

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0 (False. This means the WINS server does not initialize its database.)

Description: If this parameter is set to a non-zero value, the WINS server initializes its database with records listed in one or more files under the \Datafiles registry key. The initialization is done at process invocation and whenever you make a change to one or more values of the \Parameters or \Datafiles registry keys (unless the change you make is the DoStaticDataInit value to 0).

InitChlRetryInterval

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Default: 500(milliseconds)

Description: This parameter sets the initial retry interval for name challenge query. The interval is doubled for each subsequent retry. For example, if the ChlmaxNoOfRetries value is set to 4 and the InitChlRetryInterval value is set to 1000, the first retry is 1000 milliseconds (ms) later and the following retries are at 2000ms, 4000ms, 8000ms, and so on.

InitTimePause

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Set to 1 to instruct WINS to remain in the paused state until the first replication. If you set this value to 1, we recommend that you set the WINS\Partners\Pull\InitTimeReplication value to 1 or remove it. Either way, WINS replicates with its listed partners when it starts. The Paused state means that WINS does not accept any name registrations or releases until the above replication happens.

LogDetailedEvents

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Specifies whether logging events is verbose.

LoggingOn

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 1

Description: Specifies whether logging of database changes to the Jet.log file is turned on.

LogFilePath

Data Type: REG_SZ or REG_EXPAND_SZ
Range: Directory
Default: %SystemRoot%\System32\WINS

Description: Specifies the directory for WINS log files.

MigrateOn

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Specifies that static unique and multihomed records in the database are treated as dynamic when they conflict with a new registration or replica.

MaxRecsAtATime

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 1000 to total number of records (decimal)
Default: 30000)decimal)

Description: Specifies the maximum number of records that are replicated in one consistency check cycle. WINS does consistency checks on the records of each owner WINS server (the WINS server from which the record was replicated). After checking an owner WINS server, the local WINS server continues to the next owner WINS server, or stops. This is determined by the MaxRecsAtATime value.

McastIntvl

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: The minimum allowable value is 2400 seconds (40 minutes)
Default: 2400 (seconds)

Description: This parameter specifies the time interval (in seconds) at which the WINS server sends a multicast announcement to announce its presence to other WINS servers. Applicable only to Windows NT version 3.51.

McastTtl

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 1 - 0x22
Default: 6

Description: This parameter specifies the number of jumps across a router that a WINS multicast announcement can take. Applicable only to Windows NT version 3.51.

NoOfWrkThds

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 1 - 0x28
Default: Number of processors on the system

Description: Specifies the number of worker threads (to handle name query packets from clients). This can be changed without restarting the WINS computer.

PortNo

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 1-5000(decimal)
Default: "nameserver" port specified in the services file. It's usually 42.

Description: By default WINS uses the 'nameserver' port (specified in the services file) for replication and discovering other WINS databases. If this port is used by another process or service running on this computer you need to direct WINS to use another port. In order to do that, set the PortNo value to a different value. Note that changing the port number this way prevents this WINS from replicating or discovering other WINS servers unless they too are directed to use the same port number.

PriorityClassHigh

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Specifies the priority class of WINS. Set to 1 for high priority class. You can change this value without restarting the WINS computer.

Randomize1cList

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0x1

Description: This key determines whether the WINS server changes the order of IP addresses in successive domainname<1C> name query responses. In certain situations, this change can improve load-balancing between domain controllers acting as logon servers within a domain. A value of 0 means 1C List Randomization is not enabled. The WINS server returns the list of IP addresses in WINS domainname<1C> name query responses in the same order each time such a name query is made. A value of 1 means it enables 1C List Randomization. The WINS server rotates the list of IP addresses in WINS domainname<1C> name query responses a random amount each time such a query is made.

RefreshInterval

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0x960 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 0x54600 (96 hours)

Description: Specifies how often a client registers its name. This can be configured through WINS Manager as Renewal Interval.

TombStoneInterval

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0x12C0 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 0x54600 (96 hours)

Description: Specifies the interval between when an entry is marked released and when it is marked extinct. Same as Extinct Interval configured through WINS Manager. Must be at least two times the minimum Refresh Interval.

TombStoneTimeOut

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0x15180 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 0x54600 (96 hours)

Description: Specifies the interval between when an entry is marked extinct and when the entry is finally scavenged from the database. Same as Extinction Timeout configured through WINS Manager. The default is the same as the Refresh Interval or 24 hours whichever is greater.

UseSelfFndPnrs

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: If this parameter is set to 1 and network routers support multicasting, the WINS server automatically finds other WINS servers on the network and configures them as push and pull partners. If the parameter is set to 1 and network routers do not support multicasting, the WINS server finds only those WINS servers that are on its own subnetwork. Only applicable to Windows NT version 3.51.

VerifyInterval

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0x1FA400 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 0x1FA400 (576 hours)

Description: Specifies the interval after which the WINS server must verify that old names it does not own are still active. The default minimum is 576 hours (24 days) or 3 times TombStoneInterval whichever is greater.

VersCounterStartVal_LowWord

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 0
Description: Specified the low DWORD of the latest version ID number for the database.

VersCounterStartVal_HighWord

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 0

Description: Specifies the high DWORD of the latest version ID number for the database.

The following registry key, is an optional subkey that you may add to the registry in order to perform periodic consistency checks:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins \Parameters\ConsistencyCheck

The parameters under this subkey are follows:

MaxRecsAtATime

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 1000 to total number of records (decimal)
Default: 30000

Description: Specifies the maximum number of records that are replicated in one consistency check cycle. WINS does consistency checks on the records of each owner WINS server (the WINS server from which the record was replicated). After checking an owner WINS server, the local WINS server continues to the next owner WINS server, or stops checking records.

SpTime

Data Type: REG_SZ Default: 2:00:00 (2 A.M.)

Description: Specifies the specific time at which the first WINS server database consistency check occurs. The time is specified in hh:mm:ss format. Thereafter, the WINS database is periodically checked for consistency by using the time interval specified in the TimeInterval parameter.

TimeInterval

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 21600(6 hours) - entered in seconds (decimal)
Default: 86400 (24 hours) - entered in seconds (decimal)

Description: Specifies the time interval between WINS server database consistency checks.

UseRplPnrs

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or nonzero
Default: 0

Description: If set to zero, WINS contacts the owner WINS server. If set to a nonzero value, WINS contacts only its pull partners to perform consistency checks. If set to something other than zero, WINS randomly picks a WINS from its list of pull partners unless the owner WINS server also happens to be a pull partner. In that case, the owner WINS is contacted.

The following registry key lists one or more files that the WINS server reads to initialize or reinitialize its local database with static records. If the full path of the file is not listed, the directory of execution for the WINS server is assumed to contain the data file. The parameters can have any names (for example, DF1 or DF2). Their data types must be REG_SZ or REG_EXPAND_SZ.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins \Parameters\Datafiles

WINS Replication Parameters

The IP addresses of push and pull partners of the WINS server are contained in the following two registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners\Pull

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners\Push

The following parameter is listed under this subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners

PersonaNonGrata

Data Type: REG_MULTI_SZ
Range: IP addresses
Default: Blank

Description: Lists the IP addresses of Microsoft WINS servers whose records are excluded from the local database during replication. You can use this entry to prevent incorrect records in the databases of WINS servers on your network from being replicated to your WINS server.

ReplicationType

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: WINS server can be configured to replicate only domain, Internet, and multihomed groups to its replication partners using this parameter. By default WINS replicates all records. By setting this parameter to 1, it eliminates replication of information(unique names) that is not needed outside the local domain, while allowing replication of special group information.

This parameter can also be added under ..\Wins\Partners\Pull or ..\Wins\Partners\Push where it applies to Pull or Push partners respectively. If the parameter is specified in more than one place, the lower one in the key heirarchy superseeds the one above.
The following parameters are under the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners\Push

InitTimeReplication

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Specifies whether this WINS server informs pull partners of the database status when the system is initialized.

PropNetUpdNtf

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 1

Description: Determines whether the WINS server propagates push notices it receives from push partners to its pull partners. A value of 1 indicates Push notices are sent to Pull partners.

RplOnAddressChg

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Specifies whether this server informs pull partners of the database status when an address changes in a mapping record.

The following parameters are under this registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners\Push\<IP address>

NetBIOSName

Data Type: REG_SZ
Range: Computer Name
Default: No Default Value

Description: Specifies the NetBIOS computer name of the push partner.

OnlyDynRecs

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: If set to 1, specifies that only dynamically registered records be replicated to WINS pulling replicas. The default setting of 0 means that all records (dynamic and static) are replicated.

RplOnlyWCnfPnrs

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 1

Description: If "RplOnlyWCnfPnrs" is set to TRUE, replication is performed only with those partners that are listed under the Pull or Push key. If not set to TRUE, replication can be initiated even with unlisted partners as a result of administrative action or as a result of receiving an update notification.

UpdateCount

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0x14 - 0x7fffffff
Default: None

Description: Specifies a number for how many updates are made to locally owned records in the database before partners are informed of changes.

The following parameters are under this registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners\Pull

CommRetryCount

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 - 0x7fffffff
Default: 3

Description: Specifies the maximum number of times the server should attempt to connect with a partner for pulling replicas.

InitTimeReplication

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: 0

Description: Determines when the WINS server pulls replicas of new WINS database entries from its partners. A value of 0 indicates that replication occurs only as often as specified in the value of TimeInterval. A value of 1 indicates that WINS server pulls replicas of new WINS database entries from its partners when the system is initialized or when a replication-related parameter changes.

The following parameters are under this registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Wins\Partners\Pull\<IP address>

MemberPrecedence

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 or 1
Default: None

Description: Determines whether addresses in an Internet group pulled from a WINS partner are assigned a high or low precedence in the domain group. A high precedence indicates that a WINS partner is physically close.

Addresses in an Internet group are identified by the value 0x1C in the sixteenth byte of their NetBIOS name. Locally registered addresses always have a high precedence. Set the value of this entry to 1 if this WINS partner is serving a geographic location that is nearby.

SpTime

Data Type: REG_SZ
Range: 00:00:00 - 23:59:59 Default: (Time of Initialization + value of TimeInterval)

Description: Specifies the start time for replication. For SpTime, WINS replicates at the set time if it is in the future for that day. After that, it replicates every number of seconds specified by TimeInterval. If SpTime is in the past for that day, WINS replicates every number of seconds specified by TimeInterval, starting from the current time (if InitTimeReplication is set to 1).

TimeInterval

Data Type: REG_DWORD
Range: 0 - 0xFFFFFFFF Default: 0x708 (30 minutes)

Description: Determines how often the WINS server database is replicated. If the value of this entry is 0x0, or if this entry does not appear in the registry, the WINS server database is not replicated.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo