Managing Multihomed Servers

For all computers that use WINS and/or NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT), a single IP address is bound and used. In default configurations, the IP address used to bind NetBT is the primary IP address configured for the first network adapter installed and recognized by Windows 2000.

The order of binding of the adapters can be changed. To do so, open Network and Dial-up Connections in Control Panel, and then select Advanced on the menu bar. Next, select the Advanced Settings... command, and then choose the Adapters and Bindings tab.

However, you can modify the order of adapter bindings from the Adapter and Bindings tab of the Advanced Settings screen in the Network and Dial-up Connections folder. This dialog screen is located off of the Advanced menu. To modify bindings order, use the up and down arrows to re-order the list present in the Connections list box.

Because of the reliance of NetBIOS on the first adapter installed and bound in the system, you must verify the IP address of the adapter when using a multihomed WINS server. Once this address is known, assign only this IP address to WINS clients (either dynamically using a DHCP server or by manually configuring clients).

In addition, all WINS push and pull replication partners should be configured through this bound IP address and its physical network adapter. You may need to verify that the bound IP address is also configured at other partner WINS servers.

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