2.5 NetBIOS names

Installing DSfW in an enterprise introduces a NetBIOS name for the domain controller and the domain. Ensure that you plan a unique NetBIOS name for the domain resources. Renaming NetBIOS names is not supported.

The maximum effective length of a NetBIOS name is 15 characters. By default, the NetBIOS name is derived from the first component of the corresponding resource DNS name. For example, the workstation NetBIOS name is derived from the workstation DNS name. For a workstation DNS name novell.example.com, the NetBIOS name is “novell". If the derived name exceeds 15 characters, only the first 15 characters are considered.

2.5.1 Domain NetBIOS Name

The domain NetBIOS name is derived from the domain DNS name. For example, if the domain name is provo.novell.com, then “PROVO” is assigned as the NetBIOS name. We recommend that you do not modify the NetBIOS name. If you intend to have a custom NetBIOS name, choose the NetBIOS name carefully, so that it is unique across the organization network. Most often, the domain NetBIOS name is used by user for logon, so take special care when choosing the NetBIOS name.

2.5.2 Domain Controller NetBIOS Name

A domain controller's NetBIOS name is derived from the domain controller’s DNS name. The NetBIOS name is restricted to 15 characters. If the hostname is more than 15 characters, only the first 15 characters are considered. There is no option to provide a custom NetBIOS name for a domain controller in a DSfW configuration.