Can i use netbeui with netbios in XP?

[Creep]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if i could use netbeui with netbios
instead of tcp/ip on my network for file sharing. i have at any given
time 7 to 10 computers running almost all of them XPsp2. The reason
behind this is that i know netbeui is not routeable, and i thought it
mite be better for sercurity. The network is behind a NAT router and
were not running any servers.
any thoughts? or if anyone has tryed this i'd like to know how it was
done and if it seems to work ok? thanks for all your help

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

You can install NetBEUI on XP:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/301041/en-us

And make it the first bound protocol on the adapter. However, if you want
Internet access, you must run TCP/IP as well, and running multiple protocols
is likely to slow your network down. Doing this will not improve security.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+P, MVP

 

[Creep]

Thanks Doug
I knew it would slow things down some and i'd still have to run tcp/ip
just started thinking it mite keep things more sercure.
Is it true i can run file sharing without netbios, with smb?
Do you think that's any safer? I have do tons of reading on all of this
but my brain is getting soft and I thought this would be a good place
for answers. Thanks again for your help

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Hi everyone, I was wondering if i could use netbeui with netbios
instead of tcp/ip on my network for file sharing. i have at any given
time 7 to 10 computers running almost all of them XPsp2. The reason
behind this is that i know netbeui is not routeable, and i thought it
mite be better for sercurity. The network is behind a NAT router and
were not running any servers.
any thoughts? or if anyone has tryed this i'd like to know how it was
done and if it seems to work ok? thanks for all your help

(to chime in)

Don't do this. It will slow your network down, and is not going to give you
any real degree of security (you wouldn't be removing TCP/IP anyway, so what
would be the point?).

You can use TCP/IP (and NetBIOS over TCP/IP for browsing capability) on all
your computers and do pretty much everything you need to.

Make sure your Windows firewall is enabled on all computers (with exceptions
as needed, for the local subnet only), keep the machines patched, keep them
running good antivirus software, etc. And if your NAT router does not have a
stateful inspection firewall built-in, I'd switch it for one that does.
These are inexpensive nowadays.

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Yes - if File and Printer Sharing is enabled and you disable NetBIOS, you
can still connect by using \\<IPaddress>. Also, if you use fixed IP
addresses, you can create desktop shortcuts or use your hosts file for name
resolution. However, you cannot browse the network without NetBIOS.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Creep]

Thanks everyone! I go off on these tangents from time to time and i
need to be put back on course...all this sercurity stuff will drive ya
crazy!..but realy thanks again