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Q188997: Microsoft NetBIOS Computer Naming Conventions

Article: Q188997
Product(s): Windows for Workgroups and Windows NT Networking Issues
Version(s): 3.11,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 31-JAN-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows 3.11 
- Microsoft Windows 95 
- Microsoft Windows 98 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0 
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SUMMARY
=======

This article is intended to clarify what are valid NetBIOS computer names.

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

A computer name can be up to 15 alphanumeric characters with no blank spaces.
The name must be unique on the network and can contain the following special
characters:

  ! @ # $ % ^ & ( ) - _ ' { } . ~

The Following characters are not allowed:

  \ * + = | : ; " ? < > ,

REFERENCES
==========

Microsoft Windows NT Network Administration 4.0

Support Fundamentals For Microsoft Windows NT 3.5

Microsoft Windows 95 Resource Kit

RFC 1001 Protocol Standard For A NetBIOS Service On A TCP/UDP Transport:

  Concepts And Methods

Additional query words: netbios name net bios

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search kbWin3xSearch kbWin95search kbWin98search kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin311 kbWin98
Version           : :3.11,3.51,4.0
Issue type        : kbinfo

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