Microsoft WINS Server

Microsoft WINS servers are designed to prevent the administrative difficulties that are inherent in the use of both IP broadcasts and static mapping files such as LMHOSTS files. Microsoft WINS is designed to eliminate the need for IP broadcasts (which use valuable network bandwidth and cannot be used in routed networks), while providing a dynamic, distributed database that maintains computer name-to-IP-address mappings.

WINS servers use a replicated database that contains NetBIOS computer names and IP address mappings (database records). When Windows-based computers log on to the network, their computer name and IP address mapping are added (registered) to the WINS server database, providing support for dynamic updates. The WINS server database is replicated among multiple WINS servers in a LAN or WAN. One of the benefits of this database design is that it prevents different users from registering duplicate NetBIOS computer names on the network.

WINS clients, referred to as WINS- enabled clients, are configured to use the services of a WINS server. Windows NT- based clients are configured with the IP address of one or more WINS servers by using the WINS Address tab on the Microsoft TCP/IP Properties page in Control Panel > Network.

Configuring WINS Server for Event Collection

You can run the Registry Editor program at the command prompt to configure a WINS server by changing the values of the Registry parameters.  Parameters for logging include:

Configuration Option	Description
Logging Enabled	Specifies whether logging of database changes to J50.log files should be turned on.
Log Detailed Events	Specifies whether logging events is verbose mode. (This requires considerable computer resources and should be turned off if you are tuning for performance.)