WINS question

[Alex Anderson]

Hello everyone,

What is the correct way to set up WINS at a new site? I want this WINS
server to replicate with my primary WINS server at a different site. I
currently have it set up both replication partners as Push/Pull. However it
appears to me that there are two different databases or WINS servers. Am I
doing this right?

Thank you
Alex Anderson

 

[Simon Geary]

It doesn't sound like you have done anything wrong. With only two WINS
servers you can make them both push\pull partners with each other so you
will have two WINS servers but only one 'database'.

For WINS servers, they should only be pointing to themselves for WINS
resolution. i.e. don't point to the other server as a secondary WINS server,
use the primary address only and point it to itself.

 

[Alex Anderson]

Simon,

I was told that was the correct way to set up your secondary WINS server
for my new site. Under the System Event, WINS is not reporting if the
replication has taken place, that's what worries me. Also, when you do a
WINS search or display records, I only get a listing of the server itself
nothing else? If I change owners then I see my other WINS server with
everything else listed. Is that the way it's suppose to be?

Thank you
Alex Anderson

 

[Mike Kline]

Alex,
What do you mean when you say that there are two different databases.
Eeach WINS server will have its own database (they should be
identical). The key is that all the entries are in both databases.
You have probably seen the white paper but it may help others

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/howitworks/communications/nameadrmgmt/wins.asp

I think the resource kits do the best job when it comes to explaining
WINS. It is a subject that doesn't get written about a lot outside of
Microsoft papers, and that is because of the new dependancy on DNS.

 

[Alex Anderson]

Mike,

What I mean is, when I refresh the database at my new site, it just has
the computers that are currently pointing to that WINS server. At my
primary site, the WINS server lists different records. I set up both sites
to be a push/pull replication partner. Is there something I forgot to
configure?

Thank you
Alex Anderson

 

[Simon Geary]

Do you have a firewall in between the two sites? WINS replication requires
port 42 to be open.

Any telling errors in the event logs?

 

[Alex Anderson]

Simon,

Both site are firewalled, however they communicate through a VPN which
has all ports open. The event logs report 4102 and 4243 which is telling me
I'm not setting up the WINS server properly, even following other people's
advice its not working. It's probably just me.

Thank you
Alex Anderson

 

[Simon Geary]

This kb has some troubleshooting tips for those errors, see if it helps.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=321208

 

[Alex Anderson]

Simon,

I've already went over this article and it did not help me. Here's
another question. Do I need WINS at this site if I have DNS working at this
site?

Thank you
Alex Anderson

 

[Simon Geary]

That depends. There are a few reasons why WINS can still be necessary in
addition to DNS:

If you have any pre-Windows 2000 clients in your domain (95, 98, NT etc.)
If you want to be able to browse resources using network neighbourhood
instead of searching in AD
If you have any MSCS clusters as they use NetBIOS names
If any application or OS you have requires NetBIOS name resolution

If none of these applies to you then perhaps you don't require NetBIOS name
resolution. WINS is considered a legacy service that Microsoft are trying to
phase out but it is still required in some cases.