Siemens Unix V4.0 User Manual
Page 100
Configuring Advanced Server for UNIX
Configuring NetBIOS
Product Manual
U7613-J-Z815-6-76
©
S
iem
e
n
s
N
ix
dor
f
In
fo
rm
at
io
n
s
s
y
s
te
m
e
A
G
1
9
9
5
P
fad
: D:
\O
7
613
e6
\u
761
3e
.k
05
names.cfg file
On Advanced Server for UNIX computers, a
names.cfg
file (residing in
/var/opt/nbrfc/conf
) can
be used to specify static mappings of NetBIOS names to IP addresses. These mappings
can be loaded into an internal name table. If a b-node attempt fails, the system looks in this
name table to find a name and then uses the associated address to cross the router. The
function of the
names.cfg
file is comparable to the LMHOSTS file known from the Microsoft
networking components, however the format differs.
Files with static mappings, like LMHOSTS or
names.cfg
files, allow NetBIOS name resolution
to span routers, thus solving the problem of b-node name resolution in routed environ-
ments. However, each computer must have the necessary list of static mappings, and all
lists must be consistent. This creates an administrative burden in maintaining and distrib-
uting the lists.
Windows Internet Name Service (WINS)
A computer can use WINS if at least one WINS server is available that contains a dynamic
database that maps computer names to IP addresses. WINS can be used in conjunction
with broadcast name resolution for an internetwork where other name resolution methods
are inadequate. As described in chapter
, WINS is a NetBIOS over
TCP/IP mode of operation defined in RFC 1001/1002 as p-node. When configured as a
WINS client, Advanced Server computers use a variant of p-node known as h-node.
WINS is designed to solve the problems that occur with name resolution in medium sized
and complex internetworks and is the preferred method for name resolution. For details on
the WINS service, consult the chapter
.
An Advanced Server for UNIX computer never uses DNS (the Internet Domain Name
Service) for NetBIOS name resolution purposes.
All name resolution methods depicted above can be combined with each other. How name
resolution is handled on an Advanced Server for UNIX computer is explained in more detail
in
“Configuring NetBIOS Name Resolution”
.