Is WINS required on the PDC?

[hillboy]

Our network currently consists of 3 seperate locations...we have a WINS server and DC at each location. Within the next couple of days we are going to be breaking up this topology so that my 2 locations have its own domain and the third location has its own domain. The PDC is at this third location right now.

Our WINS configuration is a mess with really bad cross-pollination occurring. In anticipation of the break I've changed my setup to a hub/spoke scheme where my 2 locations are only push/pulling with one secondary WINS server. However, when I try to delete the PDC WINS server from the scheme (this is the server at the third location) we are either unable to get to the internet or we are not able to locate the PDC. The network admins confirm that this has been a known problem for years.

Is there any requirement that the WINS server be on the PDC? (I have never heard of this being a requirement before).

If not, what could the Network Admin at this third location done that requires his server to be part of our WINS scheme?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SgtB]

Servers/Workstations only need to be pointed to a WINS server. Same goes for the PDC. As long as they know how to get to a WINS server they should be fine.

Just an idea, but perhaps your workstations are pointing to the PDC as their WINS server. Try pointing them to one of the other WINS servers. These WINS servers must have a record in there for the PDC (not the WINS server ON the PDC, just the PDC). If they don't you'll have logon problems.

Best bet? During the restructure (since there will be down-time anyway). Rebuild your WINS database in all new domains/sites.

It'll be the perfect time to do it, and its always nice to have a fresh start after a network rebuild.

Hope this helps!

 

[SgtB]

Oh, and to actually ANSWER your question....PDC's do not need WINS installed on the PDC, they just need to know how to get to a WINS server.

 

[hillboy]

Thanks for the response SgtB....we are going to blowout WINS and start from scratch during the breakup anyway. I was just wondering if there was something I needed to do to prevent this problem following the breakup.