Static WINS Entries Cause the Network Name to Go Offline

• Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0, used with:
  • Microsoft Cluster Server

SYMPTOMS

When you add static entries in the WINS database for a clustered computer, the cluster name or network name resource goes offline.

CAUSE

Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) is dependant on the ability to change the existing media access control address for network name resources. Static entries in WINS prevents MSCS from performing that function.

MSCS uses static IP addresses, but not static WINS entries. Using static WINS entries will prevent failover from occurring.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, remove static entries for the cluster from the WINS database.

To prevent this problem, do not use static entries in WINS for clustered computers.

MORE INFORMATION

WINS entries from a WINS replication partner may cause the static WINS entries to be replicated back to the server from which the entries have been removed. Verify that all static mappings in WINS that reference cluster names or network name resources are removed from all WINS servers.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbenv 
Version           : winnt:4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbprb 

Last Reviewed: March 17, 1999