How to Statically Initialize WINS with 0x1B for the PDC

 Last reviewed: December 31, 1997
Article ID: Q129218

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, and 4.0

SUMMARY

If a primary domain controller (PDC) is not a Windows NT 3.5, 3.51, or 4.0 server (that is, it is a Windows NT Advanced Server 3.1 or LAN Manager Server), you should statically initialize Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) with the 0x1B name for the PDC. The address should be the IP address of the PDC. If the PDC is not statically initialized with the 0x1B name, a hexadecimal value of 0x00h, 0x03h, or 0x20h is registered for the PDC.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft recommends you create an LMHOSTS file and import the names into WINS to add specific static addresses. The format in the LMHOSTS file is as follows: 

   <IP address><spaces>"<DOMAIN Name>  \0x1b"<spaces>#PRE<CR><LF>
For example: 

   130.20.37.30     "MYNTDOMAIN     \0x1b"    #PRE
NOTE: The computer name of the PDC is limited to 15 characters. The hexadecimal value 1b is appended following the PDC computer name and starts with the 16th character (20 characters overall). The <spaces> denotes that you have one or more spaces between the items and be certain to press Enter at the end of each line. It is recommended that you use spaces and not tabs. You need to be sure that you press Enter at the end of the last line in the file. Also note that the \0x1b is case sensitive; uppercase characters are not recognized.

By default, the PDC and the domain master browser are the same. 0x1b is the domain master browser name, which clients and browsers use to contact the domain master browser. When WINS is queried for the domain master browser, the address of the domain master browser is returned. WINS assumes that the computer that registers a domain name with the 1B character is the PDC.

When a client computer initiates a broadcast for a <domain_name>[00h] to resolve the local network, a domain name is returned (and used to locate a domain master browser <domain_name>[1Bh] or domain controller <domain_name>[1Ch]). At this point, validation occurs if it is the domain master browser or continues until one of the domain controllers respond. Using 0x1B is not required because the PDC is registered as part of the 1C name (an internet group). However, for client computers to quickly detect the PDC and improve network performance, use the 1B name.

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q163524
   TITLE     : How to Import an LMHOSTS File into the WINS Database

Additional query words: prodnt dhcp tcpip mapping
Keywords : NTSrv nttcp kbnetwork
Version : 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform : winnt

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Last reviewed: December 31, 1997
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