[Salesman.Gil]

Hello All

I assist in taking care of a network with about 100 computers on it.

Today, and everyone once in a while, we lose computers in the network folder (previously known as network neighborhood). We also seem to lose whole workgroups.

This brings me to a simple question, where are computer names and workgroups stored on the network? DHCP server, DNS, etc....

Thanks
Salesman

 

[Wand3r3r]

This is a function of the master browser and netbios over tcp/ip.

Are there any routers separating these 100pcs?
No Wins server I take it?
Multiple workgroups? With 100 pcs? 10 is max for a workgroup

 

[Salesman.Gil]

There are no routers separating the computers. Yes, multiple workgroups. Not sure about the max being 10, seeing we have one with over 30. There is a WINS server.

What is the "master browser"?

 

[Wand3r3r]

master browser server: A server that is responsible for maintaining a master list of available resources on a subnet and for making the list available to backup browser servers. Each subnet requires a master browser server.

xp pro has a limit of 10 concurrent connections to a share. In other words only 10 workstations out of the 30 in a workgroup can connect to that xp share at the same time. XP home has a limit of 5
Inbound connections limit in Windows XP

You would download and use browstat to find who are the master and backup broswsers. Then perhaps you can figure out whoever has the list isn't advertizing it

Download details: Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools

 

[Salesman.Gil]

Thanks for the help... I also found this link How to Determine the Master Browser in a Windows Workgroup | Scottie

I think it does a great job explaining the whole master browser thing, but the tool only works on an XP machine..