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Windows Networking 271
the domain. Windows Networking domains are not the same as the Internet domain names that
are used by the Domain Name System (DNS). A domain hierarchy is a collection of domains
organized into parent-child relationships. This convention, which is also known as Active
Directory hierarchy in Windows 2000, enables easier searching through multiple domains.
Prior to Windows 2000, Windows Networking used the NetBIOS protocol for file sharing,
printer sharing, messaging, authentication, and name resolution. A pure Windows 2000
installation would require NetBIOS only for interoperability with earlier versions of Windows
Networking using the flat NetBIOS namespace. NetBIOS is a session-layer protocol that can
run on any of the following transport protocols:
·
NetBEUI (NetBIOS over LLC2)
·
NWLink (NetBIOS over Internetwork Packet Exchange [IPX])
·
NetBIOS over TCP (NBT)
Figure 8-8 depicts the protocols that can transport NetBIOS.
Figure 8-8
NetBIOS-Supported Protocols
Although Microsoft recommends that clients use only one transport protocol at a time for
maximum performance, NetBIOS over TCP is the default for Windows 2000. Pick a protocol
to use for your entire network, preferably TCP/IP, and then turn off the other protocols, because
the NetBIOS name service maintains information about computer names (a name space)
separately for each transport. Name spaces do not interact with each other; each transport
operates as a separate network.
It is recommended that you utilize NetBIOS over TCP (NBT) for most networks, or anytime
the network includes a WAN. Because NBT uses TCP/IP, each computer must be configured to
use a static IP address or to fetch an IP address dynamically with the Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP). For ease of network administration, it is highly recommended
that you use DHCP. For optimum network performance, it is highly recommended that you use
a WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) server as well. A WINS server lets clients get
browsing information without having to broadcast requests every time. There is a direct
correlation between the number of broadcasts in a network and network performance.
Broadcasts are necessary for a network to function, but minimizing them can be critical.
Cisco recommends that most customers use TCP/IP for Windows Networking.
N E T B I O S
NETBEUI
NWLINK
TCP/IP
87200333.book Page 271 Wednesday, August 22, 2001 2:37 PM