WINS

In a Nutshell - CIW Course Section 3, Part B1, Chapter 6

WINS Overview

Windows Internet Name Service is generally considered to be a legacy system since Microsoft adopted DNS as it's primary method of name resolution. WINS differs from DNS in a number of areas. WINS maintains a dynamic database which updates as clients connect to the network. The database can be replicated to another WINS server, but there is no hierarchy as in DNS. WINS uses the lmhosts file where DNS uses the hosts file. The LM in lmhosts stands for LAN Manager, hinting at it's origin.

There are three stages to the name registration process in WINS: Name Registration, Name Query and Resolution and Name Renewal and Release.

WINS: Managing

The Management Console Snap-In for WINS is the place to administer the WINS server. Accessible from Programs | Administrative Tools | WINS.

Scavenging and backup are two of the main management tasks involved with WINS. Scavenging is the process of removing old, unwanted records, backup is fairly self-descriptive. Scavenging can be done manually, on-demand or may be scheduled to run at regular intervals.

Right-clicking on the server icon will display the following pop-up, context-sensitive menu to allow the selection of the above, and other WINS related tasks:

The above image quality is a bit ropey, it is a scanned image rather than a screen-shot. Another task that may be required is decommissioning, should a WINS server, that is part of a push/pull partnership, need to be removed. This requires that records requiring deletion are tombstoned (marked inactive) so that they may be replicated to the remaining servers before the redundant one is removed.

WINS Clients

From the client machine open the properties of the local area network connection and select and open the properties for TCP/IP. Click the "Advanced" button and click the "WINS" tab. From here the "Add" button will allow the details of the WINS server to be added, from where this client will obtain future name resolution. It is also the server this client will register itself with.

Static Mapping