Windows Internet Naming Service
Encyclopedia
Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) is Microsoft
's implementation of NetBIOS Name Service (NBNS), a name server and service for NetBIOS
computer names. Effectively WINS is to NetBIOS names what DNS
is to domain name
s — a central mapping of host names to network addresses. Like DNS it is broken into two parts, a Server Service (that manages the encoded Jet Database
, server to server replication, service requests, and conflicts) and a TCP/IP Client component which manages the client's registration and renewal of names, and takes care of queries.
needs to contact another computer on the network it can get its up-to-date IP address which may be issued by a DHCP
server. Aside from this the WINS functionality provides a way of keeping the client names unique on the network.
Networks normally have more than one WINS server and each WINS server should be in push/pull replication
; where more than two WINS servers are required the best practice replication model is the hub and spoke
, thus the WINS design is not central but distributed. Each WINS server holds a full copy of every other related WINS system's records. There is no hierarchy in WINS (unlike DNS), but like DNS its database
can be queried for the address to contact rather than broadcasting a request for which address to contact. The system therefore reduces broadcast traffic
on the network, however replication traffic can add to WAN
/LAN
traffic, although this can be set to replicate in non busy periods. By design any WINS client can register any name with any WINS server. This makes the system prone to abuse or unreliable through poor administration.
All WINS clients should be configured to use a primary WINS server and a different secondary WINS server. The secondary would normally be the hub server. The setting of which WINS servers to use is either in the DHCP scope options or a per client hard coded value.
As of Windows 2000, DNS
provides the favored alternative to WINS, as part of Active Directory
.
In theory, if DNS is available, WINS is only necessary if pre-Windows 2000 clients or servers need to resolve names. In reality, especially in large enterprise environments, applications such as SMS 2003 with its use of the 1A record, MS SQL Server 2000
for use of named pipes, and Exchange Server 2000 and 2003 both require WINS for full functionality.
The WINS server from Microsoft is only available as a service to run on the Windows Server family of operating systems. The WINS client from Microsoft is common across all its operating systems including DOS. WINS clients can also be devices such as IP phones and printers.
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's implementation of NetBIOS Name Service (NBNS), a name server and service for NetBIOS
NetBIOS
NetBIOS is an acronym for Network Basic Input/Output System. It provides services related to the session layer of the OSI model allowing applications on separate computers to communicate over a local area network. As strictly an API, NetBIOS is not a networking protocol...
computer names. Effectively WINS is to NetBIOS names what DNS
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
is to domain name
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
s — a central mapping of host names to network addresses. Like DNS it is broken into two parts, a Server Service (that manages the encoded Jet Database
Microsoft Jet Database Engine
The Microsoft Jet Database Engine is a database engine on which several Microsoft products have been built. A database engine is the underlying component of a database, a collection of information stored on a computer in a systematic way...
, server to server replication, service requests, and conflicts) and a TCP/IP Client component which manages the client's registration and renewal of names, and takes care of queries.
Overview
Network address mappings are dynamically updated so that when a clientClient (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
needs to contact another computer on the network it can get its up-to-date IP address which may be issued by a DHCP
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is a network configuration protocol for hosts on Internet Protocol networks. Computers that are connected to IP networks must be configured before they can communicate with other hosts. The most essential information needed is an IP address, and a default...
server. Aside from this the WINS functionality provides a way of keeping the client names unique on the network.
Networks normally have more than one WINS server and each WINS server should be in push/pull replication
Replication
Replication may refer to:Science* Replication is one of the main principles of the scientific method, a.k.a. reproducibility** Replication , the repetition of a test or complete experiment...
; where more than two WINS servers are required the best practice replication model is the hub and spoke
Spoke-hub distribution paradigm
The hub-and-spoke distribution paradigm is a system of connections arranged like a chariot wheel, in which all traffic moves along spokes connected to the hub at the center...
, thus the WINS design is not central but distributed. Each WINS server holds a full copy of every other related WINS system's records. There is no hierarchy in WINS (unlike DNS), but like DNS its database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
can be queried for the address to contact rather than broadcasting a request for which address to contact. The system therefore reduces broadcast traffic
Broadcast traffic
Broadcast traffic, in computer networking, is traffic that is simultaneously addressed to all computers connected to the network, as opposed to unicast or multicast traffic...
on the network, however replication traffic can add to WAN
Wide area network
A wide area network is a telecommunication network that covers a broad area . Business and government entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers from various geographical locations...
/LAN
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
traffic, although this can be set to replicate in non busy periods. By design any WINS client can register any name with any WINS server. This makes the system prone to abuse or unreliable through poor administration.
All WINS clients should be configured to use a primary WINS server and a different secondary WINS server. The secondary would normally be the hub server. The setting of which WINS servers to use is either in the DHCP scope options or a per client hard coded value.
As of Windows 2000, DNS
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
provides the favored alternative to WINS, as part of Active Directory
Active Directory
Active Directory is a directory service created by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems. Server computers on which Active Directory is running are called domain controllers....
.
In theory, if DNS is available, WINS is only necessary if pre-Windows 2000 clients or servers need to resolve names. In reality, especially in large enterprise environments, applications such as SMS 2003 with its use of the 1A record, MS SQL Server 2000
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database server, developed by Microsoft: It is a software product whose primary function is to store and retrieve data as requested by other software applications, be it those on the same computer or those running on another computer across a network...
for use of named pipes, and Exchange Server 2000 and 2003 both require WINS for full functionality.
The WINS server from Microsoft is only available as a service to run on the Windows Server family of operating systems. The WINS client from Microsoft is common across all its operating systems including DOS. WINS clients can also be devices such as IP phones and printers.
External links
- Official sources:
- Microsoft TechNet: Windows Internet Name Service Overview (Chapter 12 of the downloadable book "TCP/IP Fundamentals for Microsoft Windows")
- Microsoft TechNet: WINS Technical Reference
- Microsoft TechNet: WINS Concepts
- MSKB837391: Exchange Server 2003 and Exchange 2000 Server require NetBIOS name resolution for full functionality
- Other:
- Name Resolution chapter in Using Samba online book (also published by O'Reilly as ISBN 0-596-00256-4), which speaks about WINS.