Do I need a WINS server in a XP, W2K3 DC network?

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SammyBar - 30 Apr 2008 16:20 GMT

Hi all,

We have migrated our network from NT4 to W2K and recently to W2K3 Servers
Active Directory and at each step I ask myself: Do we really need a WINS
server at all? It is supposed the DNS server does the work. Nowadays our
network is comprised of XPs, a few W98 PCs which will be replaced in the
next weeks, a few W2K servers (non DC) and W2K3 DC servers. The AD was
raised to W2K3 level. Do I really need a WINS server?

Thanks in advance
Sammy

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Meinolf Weber - 30 Apr 2008 16:26 GMT

Hello SammyBar,

If you have more then one subnet WINS is needed. Also some services like
Exchange relies on it for some operations.

Best regards

Meinolf Weber
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> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks in advance
> Sammy

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Lanwench [MVP - Exchange] - 30 Apr 2008 17:11 GMT

> Hello SammyBar,
>
> If you have more then one subnet WINS is needed. Also some services
> like Exchange relies on it for some operations.

.....Also, if you want network browsing, you really need it. If you don't
care about browsing, you can usually get away with it - but then, you really
need to disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP on all your NICs.

> Best regards
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>> Thanks in advance
>> Sammy

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SammyBar - 30 Apr 2008 17:18 GMT

>> If you have more then one subnet WINS is needed.

Yes!

>> Also some services like Exchange relies on it for some operations.

Yes!

> .....Also, if you want network browsing, you really need it.

Yes!

Now I sure I need it
Thanks for your advice guys....!
Sammy

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Herb Martin - 30 Apr 2008 17:54 GMT

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> next weeks, a few W2K servers (non DC) and W2K3 DC servers. The AD was
> raised to W2K3 level. Do I really need a WINS server?

By now you know the answer is "yes" and some of the reasons;
here is the bottom line:

1) IF you have legacy systems or need the services provided by NetBIOS
legacy applications and OS features, then NetBIOS really needs to
be enabled on ALL internal computers.

2) IF you need NetBIOS, and have multiple internal subnets you need
(replicated) WINS Server(s), and EVERY computer (esp. DCs) needs
to be set as a WINS client.

For almost everyone the answer is still "yes" to NetBIOS and for
those with more than one subnet then the answer is "Yes to WINS
Server" too.

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