KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q164765: How to Enable WINS Proxy Agent in Windows NT 4.0

Article: Q164765
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WinNT:3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork kbui
Last Modified: 09-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

In Windows NT 3.5x, the Window Internet Name Service (WINS) Proxy Agent can be
enabled through the TCP/IP properties in the Network Control Panel. In Windows
NT 4.0, the WINS Proxy Agent cannot be enabled in the Network Control Panel, but
can be enabled by changing a registry setting.

MORE INFORMATION
================

A network administrator can designate one or two WINS-enabled computer for each
subnet to be WINS Proxy Agents in a local subnet if a WINS server is not
available on the local subnet. The Proxy Agent helps resolve name queries for
non-WINS enabled computers (b-node) in routed TCP/IP intranets.

Non-WINS enabled computers use IP broadcasts for name queries. The Proxy Agent
listens on the local subnet for IP broadcast name queries and resolves the name
queries by either using the local cached name-to-IP- address mappings or, if the
name is not found in the cache, by forwarding the query to a WINS server and
returning the replies to the client. The WINS Proxy Agent can query a WINS
server across a router. Because the WINS server does not respond to broadcasts,
a computer configured as a WINS Proxy Agent should be installed on a subnet that
contains computers that use broadcasts for name resolution.

For more information, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge base:

  ARTICLE-ID: Q121004
  TITLE : WINS Proxy Agent Functionality

For additional information on WINS and the WINS proxy functionality, please see
the following white paper available on the Microsoft anonymous ftp server:

  File Name: Tcpipimp2.doc
  Location : ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-docs/papers/

In Windows NT 3.51, to configure a computer as a WINS Proxy Agent, check the
"Enable WINS Proxy Agent" box in the Advanced properties of the TCP/IP protocol
in the Network Control Panel.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide
problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can
be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

In Windows NT 4.0, you must manually change the following registry parameter to 1
to enable the WINS Proxy Agent:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters\ 

  Value Name: EnableProxy
  Value Type: REG_DWORD
  Values: Boolean (0 or 1)
  Default: 0

Restart the computer after changing this registry setting, and the WINS Proxy
Agent will be enabled.

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork kbui 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search
Version           : WinNT:3.51,4.0
Issue type        : kbhowto

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.