You can shutdown the Computer Browser Service (CBS) on everything and it won't cause any issues with WINS or your DCs.  Where it will cause an issue is when you attempt to browse the network from say Network Neighborhood. 

The Computer Browser Service pretty much bites.  I've beaten my head against walls for hours trying to explain to users and a Pointy Haired Boss that just because the system doesn't appear in NN doesn't mean it isn't on the network.  All of the "important" network services don't use CBS. 

Below is a link to a TechNet article that is helpful in troubleshooting the CBS.  Unfortunately, the CBS is really the only way to populate NN.  If you are using AD, I'd recommend using it to browse or search for resources.  You could create some custom task panes for your users so they only see the systems in their OU; they could search for them as well. 

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;188305

 

Dave

------------------------------------------------
David J. Perdue
Network Security Engineer, InDyne Inc 
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From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stockbrugger, Brian L.
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 8:48 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Computer Browser service questions

 

Yes this I know about WINS and browser service being different.  My first question is, is it OK to shutdown browser service on domain controllers and WINS servers and not affect WINS and DC functionality?  I realize it is an obscure question but it was posed to me and I am not sure how to best answer it.  The second question is, what is a best practice method to fully populate Network Neighborhood either in Windows or in an app such as Veritas or Symantec that look to "browse" a network to find clients.  The issue is not all clients are showing up - why?  How can I get them to all show up?

 

Sorry for the confusion and I hope this attempt makes more sense.

~Brian


From: joe [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 6:36 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [ActiveDir] OT: Computer Browser service questions

 

WINS is name resolution. The browser service doesn't do name resolution, it is a directory of NetBIOS resources and machine names. The services aren't the same, WINS is used to resolve names that the browser service maintains.

 

For your specific question, you can disable browser everywhere and Windows will be fine. However if your users browse to resources, they may have an issue...

 

What exactly is your goal?

 

  joe

 


From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Stockbrugger, Brian L.
Sent: Wednesday, November 03, 2004 5:41 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [ActiveDir] OT: Computer Browser service questions

Two Wins servers, 10 subnets, all clients point to both Wins servers, mix of Windows clients

 

Is there an issue with disabling the Computer Browser service on all clients (assuming they are all Wins clients)?

Theoretically speaking, however, I'm a bit unsure.  Also, would turning off the Computer Browser service on (1) the Wins servers and/or (2) Domain Controllers be problematic?  Again, all would be Wins clients vs. Computer Browser "broadcast" clients.

 

Any advice or assistance here would be appreciated.  I've done a fair amount of research, but can't really find anything pertaining to eliminating the Computer Browser service in lieu of using Wins only.

Methods to "fully" populate our Network Neighborhood is really what I'm trying to achieve here...


~Brian

 

 

 

 

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