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Diffstat (limited to 'docs/docbook/projdoc/Browsing-Quickguide.sgml')
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diff --git a/docs/docbook/projdoc/Browsing-Quickguide.sgml b/docs/docbook/projdoc/Browsing-Quickguide.sgml index 0a5cf72038..adf20b7386 100644 --- a/docs/docbook/projdoc/Browsing-Quickguide.sgml +++ b/docs/docbook/projdoc/Browsing-Quickguide.sgml @@ -85,6 +85,81 @@ minutes to stabilise, particularly across network segments. </sect1> <sect1> +<title>How browsing functions and how to deploy stable and +dependable browsing using Samba</title> + + +<para> +As stated above, MS Windows machines register their NetBIOS names +(i.e.: the machine name for each service type in operation) on start +up. Also, as stated above, the exact method by which this name registration +takes place is determined by whether or not the MS Windows client/server +has been given a WINS server address, whether or not LMHOSTS lookup +is enabled, or if DNS for NetBIOS name resolution is enabled, etc. +</para> + +<para> +In the case where there is no WINS server all name registrations as +well as name lookups are done by UDP broadcast. This isolates name +resolution to the local subnet, unless LMHOSTS is used to list all +names and IP addresses. In such situations Samba provides a means by +which the samba server name may be forcibly injected into the browse +list of a remote MS Windows network (using the "remote announce" parameter). +</para> + +<para> +Where a WINS server is used, the MS Windows client will use UDP +unicast to register with the WINS server. Such packets can be routed +and thus WINS allows name resolution to function across routed networks. +</para> + +<para> +During the startup process an election will take place to create a +local master browser if one does not already exist. On each NetBIOS network +one machine will be elected to function as the domain master browser. This +domain browsing has nothing to do with MS security domain control. +Instead, the domain master browser serves the role of contacting each local +master browser (found by asking WINS or from LMHOSTS) and exchanging browse +list contents. This way every master browser will eventually obtain a complete +list of all machines that are on the network. Every 11-15 minutes an election +is held to determine which machine will be the master browser. By the nature of +the election criteria used, the machine with the highest uptime, or the +most senior protocol version, or other criteria, will win the election +as domain master browser. +</para> + +<para> +Clients wishing to browse the network make use of this list, but also depend +on the availability of correct name resolution to the respective IP +address/addresses. +</para> + +<para> +Any configuration that breaks name resolution and/or browsing intrinsics +will annoy users because they will have to put up with protracted +inability to use the network services. +</para> + +<para> +Samba supports a feature that allows forced synchonisation +of browse lists across routed networks using the "remote +browse sync" parameter in the smb.conf file. This causes Samba +to contact the local master browser on a remote network and +to request browse list synchronisation. This effectively bridges +two networks that are separated by routers. The two remote +networks may use either broadcast based name resolution or WINS +based name resolution, but it should be noted that the "remote +browse sync" parameter provides browse list synchronisation - and +that is distinct from name to address resolution, in other +words, for cross subnet browsing to function correctly it is +essential that a name to address resolution mechanism be provided. +This mechanism could be via DNS, <filename>/etc/hosts</filename>, +and so on. +</para> + +</sect1> + +<sect1> <title>Use of the "Remote Announce" parameter</title> <para> The "remote announce" parameter of smb.conf can be used to forcibly ensure |