Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP or obtain setting from DHCP ?? (windows 2000 SP4)

[Blithe]

My ISP is AT&T (SBC) Yahoo DSL.
The service came with a Speedstream 4100 DSL modem router.

The Speedstream 4100 user manual states that by default "the Router will act
as a DHCP server."

The installation for connecting to my DSL service went smoothly and I have
had no connectivity issues for a single PC wired via Ethernet directly to
the router.

Checking my LAN TCP/IP settings (set to obtain IP and DNS server addresses
automatically) I find that the advanced settings under the WINS tab is set
to:

Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
(I have researched 'help' and the Internet to learn how to decide upon the
correct setting with no definitive answers)

QUESTIONS:

1. If my DSL modem/router functions as a DHCP server then should I assume
the installation default setting was incorrect and switch to "obtain setting
from DHCP?"

2. What are the deciding factors that determine which one among the three
settings is the proper one?

3. Supposing I wanted to add a DSL broadband router to hook up a second PC?
What setting then?

All comments appreciated - Thanks

Blithe

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

1. No - your Speedstream device doesn't provide any NetBIOS settings, so
you get the same result either way.

2. If you have a DHCP server which provides NetBIOS settings then you
should select to use the DHCP settings for NetBIOS. If you want to disable
NetBIOS and you do not have a DHCP server capable of doing this, you should
select Disable NetBIOS. If you have only one computer, NetBIOS is of little
use. However, you will want it enabled for many networking functions in the
event that you add more computers.

3. You already have a router. If you need additional ports, add a switch
not another router.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP

 

[Blithe]

Many thanks Doug - the speed of your expertise is impressive.

Blithe