WINS address?

[Guest]

I am setting up a Thinkpad T21 running Win2k on an existing LAN connected to
the 'Net. I think I have configured nearly everything properly, but have
found a term I do not understand (I am unfamiliar with Windows OSs --
sorry):

What is the "WINS address" that the system won't let me close the TCP/IP
settings without defining? This is on the "Advanced" page, which makes me
think it is not something that is always required, but that I may have made
trouble for myself by doing something extraneous that now required it.

What is this? Under what circumstances is it required? If I don't need it,
how can I get around the system's insistence that I enter it?

Thanks in advance...

 

[bryce.yates]

Good old WINS. This stands for Windows Internet Naming Service. This
was Microsofts name resolution standard that was going to take over the
world. For browsing the internet it is of no use to you. I know the
message you speak of and there should be the option of saying OK to not
worry about configuring this option. If you are unable to get around
this try using the lookback address (127.0.0.1)

WINS was a neccesary component for corporate networks that run on
Windows 92/98/NT that need to resolve computer names for computers that
are not on the same network segment. Should you bring another computer
up on your network they will find each other by name via a broadcast.

Hope this help.
Remember the saying. "We don't need no Stinking WINS".

Bryce

 

[Stan Goodman]

Good old WINS. This stands for Windows Internet Naming Service. This
was Microsofts name resolution standard that was going to take over the

As the French say, the more things change, the more they remain the same.

world. For browsing the internet it is of no use to you. I know the
message you speak of and there should be the option of saying OK to not
worry about configuring this option. If you are unable to get around
this try using the lookback address (127.0.0.1)

So it's an effort ad DNS -- but (naturally) proprietary.

WINS was a neccesary component for corporate networks that run on
Windows 92/98/NT that need to resolve computer names for computers that
are not on the same network segment. Should you bring another computer
up on your network they will find each other by name via a broadcast.

I must have done something similar, for that machine is having zero trouble
in working with the 'Net or communicating on its peer network, even when
booting to Win2k, which I do as rarely as possible.

Hope this help.
Remember the saying. "We don't need no Stinking WINS".

I forebear broadening that.

Thank you for broadening my education.