LMhosts Misery! 1

[OldSkoolSkater]

I currently have a network of machines that I am trying to reduce network traffic on. They are currently configured to point to a WINS server for name resolution, but I would like them to use a local LMhosts file on each machine. I have edited the sample LMhosts file in NT and used the #PRE command to preload all the servers listed in the file. Typing in NBTSTAT -C shows there to be no cached servers in the list, and typing NBTSTAT -R should clear and reload the cache but it doesn't!
I have noticed that the file has the extension .sam
Should it have this extension, or is it there because the file is a sample?
Help!

 

[Zelandakh]

You found the problem yourself...

rename lmhosts.sam to just lmhosts and restart.

Things will work correctly...

 

[Voyager1]

Are you sure you really want to do this? Network traffic savings will be minimal, and you're opening yourself up for considerable administrative overhead, keeping the LMHOSTS files up to date.

Just thought I'd ask...

Bill
CNE, MCSE, CCNA, CCA, MCT, CCI, HBO

"Resistance is Futile, Negotiation is Irrelevent"

 

[OldSkoolSkater]

The machines in question access only a BDC and a company file server. Have been having major probs with network dropouts recently, so a company was dragged in to monitor network traffic.
It was found that Netbios traffic was at 100% bandwidth and the company suggested using a local Lmhost file to stop the machines querying the WINS server every time it wanted to access the file server. Should this resolution be cached on the local machine after the first visit to WINS, or does it have to address WINS every time for file server access?

 

[Voyager1]

WINS resolutions get cached, but only for a short period of time. I'm kind of curious about your statement regarding Netbios traffic. Are you using anything other than TCP/IP? It sounds like there are 1 or more machines on your network that may have NetBEUI loaded. If so, you might want to remove it - it will cause traffic even if it is not being used as your transport...

Hope this helps Bill
CNE, MCSE, CCNA, CCA, MCT, CCI, HBO

"Resistance is Futile, Negotiation is Irrelevent"

 

[peterve]

I agree,

Normally WINS is the best solution : no additional broadcast traffic, no static files you'll have to update, ... Peter Van Eeckhoutte
peter.ve@pandora.be

 

[cclausen]

Do you have WINS settings netbios 048 set as tyoe 0x8 This should query the local first and then the remote.

Chris

 

[baxwink]

I too am having a problem getting into an NT server on my company's network. I am attempting to on from home and have been told that I can enter the ip address of my dervers into an lmhosts file and then be able to get a login screen. I am very unfamiliar with the lmhosts and need step by step instructions. Thanks.I am using a Windows XP Pro machine at home and want to get into an NT4 server.

 

[david902]

remember tho, the LMHOSTS file is processed sequentially, comments and all. remove all unneeded comments, lines, and anything you absolutely do not need.

 

[ShackDaddy]

Bax, look in your Windows\System32\drivers\etc folder for a file called 'lmhosts.sam'. Open it and follow the directions therein. After each server entry that you create, add the #PRE tag. Also, make sure, if you are trying to log on to that remote domain, to specify your domain controller or logon server with the '#DOM:domain' tag. Once you have finished adding entries for the servers you want to reach, save the file and then delete the '.sam' extension. The file only functions when there is no extension on it.

Now go to a command prompt (type 'cmd' at the RUN prompt in the Start menu) and type 'nbtstat -c'. You shouldn't have much in your list. Now type 'nbtstat -R'. This will cause the entries that you created with the '#PRE' tag on them to load. Now type 'nbtstat -c' again to see what's been loaded in your cache. From now on, any time you restart your system, those entries will be automatically loaded.

ShackDaddy

 

[shipmate]

cclausen-Could you explain where I can change this WINS setting?

Specifically, the "WINS settings netbios 048 set as type 0x8" you mentioned?


Thanks

 

[ShackDaddy]

the 0x8 (hybrid) node type is the default setting if the client is configured to use WINS. Otherwise it is 0x1 (broadcast). You can assign the node type with DHCP Option #46.