Best Practices

Best Practices

• Minimize the number of WINS servers on the network.

  By minimizing the number of WINS servers, you reduce the number of server configurations that must be verified. In addition, minimizing the number of WINS servers lessens the complexity of configuring WINS replication.

• Manually define WINS replication.

  If you minimize the number of WINS servers, you can manually configure WINS replication partners to ensure that all WINS servers receive all updates to the WINS database, including all updates registered at the other WINS servers.

• Monitor the membership of all administrative groups.

  The WINS Admins, Administrators, and Server Operators groups have the necessary permissions to modify a WINS server s configuration. Validate the membership of these groups at regular intervals.

• Apply the latest hotfixes and security patches.

  Application of the latest hotfixes and security patches ensures that your WINS servers are protected against any known WINS service attacks.

• Eliminate NetBIOS applications.

  By eliminating NetBIOS-dependent applications, you remove the need for NetBIOS name resolution. Take measures such as upgrading applications and installing the Microsoft Directory Services client on Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Me, and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 clients to remove their dependency on NetBIOS for network authentication.