H-Node Multihomed Host May Send Broadcasts Immediately

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you configure a network adapter on a multihomed h-node host to query Windows Internet Name Service (WINS), another network adapter without this configuration may appear to follow the h-node type name resolution method correctly.

NetBT sends a name query to WINS from the network adapter that is configured to query WINS, but almost immediately sends a name query broadcast from the network adapter that is not configured to query WINS. The nonconfigured network adapter does not wait for WINS name resolution to be unsuccessful.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because a multihomed computer places calls on all adapters to which NetBT is bound, and each adapter works independently to resolve the name and to make a connection.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use an Lmhosts file to preload entries in the NetBIOS cache table. This cache is checked first before the host queries WINS or sends a broadcast.

You can also configure the host to use p-node so that it uses only WINS and never broadcasts.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

The NetBT node type determines what method NetBT uses to register and resolve names. An h-node system queries the name server first, and then broadcasts.

Typically, all adapters in an h-node type host are configured to use WINS.

REFERENCES

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

Q120642 TCP/IP & NBT Configuration Parameters for Windows NT

Q119493 NetBIOS over TCP/IP Name Resolution and WINS

Q105997 Differences Between the HOSTS and LMHOSTS Files in Windows NT

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbnetwork
Version : winnt:3.51,4.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbprb