NetBIOS Name Resolution Using DNS and the HOSTS File

ID: Q142309

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 3.51, 4.0

Windows NT allows you to resolve NetBIOS names using the HOSTS file or Domain Name System (DNS) server. To do this, you must select the Enable DNS for Windows Name Resolution check box in the Advanced Microsoft TCP/IP Configuration dialog box of Control Panel Network.

In addition, Windows NT uses Windows Internet Name Service (WINS), b-node broadcasts and the LMHOSTS file for NetBIOS name resolution. If all of these name resolution methods are used, an h-node host computer implements them in the following order:

NetBIOS name cache

WINS server

B-node broadcast

LMHOSTS file

HOSTS file

DNS server

NOTE: The HOSTS file is used by some TCP/IP utilities, such as PING and FTP, even though the Enable DNS for Windows Name Resolution check box is cleared.

Additional query words: prodnt


Keywords          : kbnetwork nttcp NTSrvWkst 
Version           : 3.5 3.51 4.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: February 4, 1999