On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 01:18:18 -0800, "Slice" <Slice@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:
>Ok, that answered my question. So I should have two of the five computers
>(preferably hardwired desktops) on my network run the computer browser
>service (this is what you advised earlier right). That way I will have a
>backup in the event that the master browser (x64 box) goes down, right?
>
>Thanks for all the help,
>Slice
>
>P.S. What factor decides which of the two computers running the browser
>service becomes the master browser (anything in particular)? Will the other
>automatically become known as the back up browser to the master browser? Is
>there anything in particular I have to do to ensure that the master browser
>detects/knows the other computer running the browser service is a backup, or
>vise versa (any thing I have to do to ensure the backup knows that it is the
>backup to the master rather then a master itself).
The general advice is to stop and disable the browser service, on all computers
that you don't want as browsers. Then shut down all computers. Start up the
computer you want to be the master browser first, followed by the backup
browser. Then start up the non-browser computers. Or you can play with the
flags, shut down and disable the service as necessary, and wait for the browsers
to realise that they need an election.
That's the interesting thing about the whole process. It's a peer-peer process,
with each browser managing itself until the election is held and completed.
The election criteria, for each browser, is a bit wise addition of a bunch of
flags, one of which is preferred master browser. You need to look at a table
entitled "Election Criterion", in the white paper, as the table itself can't be
copied here very well:
<http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/winntas/deploy/prodspecs/ntbrowse.mspx>
--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.