<samba:parameter name="preferred master" context="G" type="boolean-auto" basic="1" advanced="1" developer="1" xmlns:samba="http://www.samba.org/samba/DTD/samba-doc"> <synonym>prefered master</synonym> <description> <para> This boolean parameter controls if <citerefentry><refentrytitle>nmbd</refentrytitle> <manvolnum>8</manvolnum></citerefentry> is a preferred master browser for its workgroup. </para> <para> If this is set to <constant>yes</constant>, on startup, <command moreinfo="none">nmbd</command> will force an election, and it will have a slight advantage in winning the election. It is recommended that this parameter is used in conjunction with <smbconfoption name="domain master">yes</smbconfoption>, so that <command moreinfo="none">nmbd</command> can guarantee becoming a domain master. </para> <para> Use this option with caution, because if there are several hosts (whether Samba servers, Windows 95 or NT) that are preferred master browsers on the same subnet, they will each periodically and continuously attempt to become the local master browser. This will result in unnecessary broadcast traffic and reduced browsing capabilities. </para> </description> <related>os level</related> <value type="default">auto</value> </samba:parameter>