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Windows Network Browse Service
Last updated: 7/10/01
Q. What is the Windows network Browse Service
and what is a Browse Master?
A. The Microsoft networking browser system
consists of a master browser, backup browsers, and client computers. The
Windows browse service maintains a list, called the browse list, of computers
with resources (servers--a client computer can also be a server in a peer-to-peer
network) in a workgroup. One computer, the Browse Master, maintains
the browse list. Users browse a network (browse list) to find, identify,
and connect to network resources. Network resources are found by scrolling
through a list of workgroups in the Network Neighborhood/My Network Places
(workgroups are listed under the entire Network in Windows Me), a list of
computers in a workgroup, and a list of shared resources on a computer. A
computer can belong to only one workgroup and can only use resources in that
workgroup. If a computer belongs to a Windows domain, both the
domain and workgroup names must be identical. When a computer first
starts Windows, it hunts for a Browse Master. An election is conducted
if no Browse Master is found. An election is also conducted when
a Master Browser disappears from the network (e.g., someone turns it off)
or a Windows NT or 2000 Server starts. If the Browse Master function
is enabled and one Windows NT or 2000 Sever that is the Primary Domain Controller
is present, it becomes the Browse Master. If no domain controllers
are present than the Master Browser is selected in the following priority
order : Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows NT
4.0 Server Enterprise Edition, Windows NT 4.0 Server, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation,
Windows 98/SE/Me, Windows 95, Windows for Workgroups 3.11. There is one Browse
Master per network segment (a group of computers connected to an Ethernet
hub are in the same network segment). A Browse Master will appoint
computers with the Browse Master function enabled or set to automatic as
a backup browse server for every 32 computers on a network segment. Secondary
domain controllers on the same network segment with a primary domain controller
become backup Browse Masters. The Browse Master sends a copy of the
browse list to the backup browse servers every fifteen minutes . A
client computer announces itself to the network based on what server services
it is running. A Windows computer will not appear in a browse list
if it is not running File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks. It
may take up to 15 minutes for a computer to be added to the browse list. It
may take up to 51 minutes (this number varies with different MS references
and the process is complex) for a computer to be removed from a browse list
after it has stopped announcing its presence.
To browse across TCP/IP subnetworks at least one Windows
NT or 2000 Server Browse Master must be on each subnetwork. Microsoft
networks using the IPX/SPX-compatible protocol (NWLink), have only one master
browser for each domain and name queries are sent across routers in such
a network automatically. For more Info see the Windows
98/98SE Resource Kit; Browsing
and Windows 95 Networking (Parts 1-3); MS KB Article Q238853, Cannot
Browse Network Neighborhood if PDC Is on Separate Subnet; and MS
KB Article Q188001, Description
of the Microsoft Computer Browser Service.
In my humble opinion this system does not always work well
and needs a major overhaul. I have read that Windows XP fixes
a lot of what is wrong, but I am presently skeptical. Larry
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