Question

Is it possible to change the Master Browser on a network...

Asked by: mortenhem

I got a Windows 2003 Native Domain. One of my unix servers has promoted its self as Master Browser so my other Windows servers says: "The browser service was unable to retrieve a list of servers from the browser master". Us it possible to change the Master Browser on a network?

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Asked On
2007-05-16 at 06:14:26ID22575438
Tags

browser

,

master

,

change

Topics

Windows Networking

,

Microsoft Server

,

Windows 2003 Server

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: mpfisterPosted on 2007-05-16 at 06:37:38ID: 19100615

If you got a working DNS you won't need the browser service. Disable service "Computer Browser" on your Windows systems (and Unix systems if possible). If there is a real need for NetBios Name resolution, use WINS instead.

 

by: JohnjcesPosted on 2007-05-16 at 09:03:01ID: 19101858

Having two domains on our network here, I concur with mpfister. But to answer your question directly, you can change the master browser by turning that PCs master browser service off.

In a Windows network, the PCs "sort of" get together and elect a master browser. IN your case they decided upon your linux box which isn;t doing what it is suppsoed to do in your network environment.

In Linux, it is usually Samba that controls whether or not that computer allows master or master browser requests.

I have several Linux servers and I ensure that browser services are turned off. Check your version of Linux or the Linux Server software system itself as it could be as simple as a web interface for Samba that will allow you to turn it off (as is the case in mine, which makes it very easy). Otherwise, do a search for Samba Master Browser and you'll get some good results.

http://web.mit.edu/rhel-doc/4/RH-DOCS/rhel-rg-en-4/s1-samba-network-browsing.html

Hope this helped you a bit.

John

 

by: adamdrayerPosted on 2007-05-16 at 10:56:08ID: 19102830

You can set a Preferred Master Browser, by modifying the following registry key:

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters
Type: REG_SZ
Name: IsDomainMaster
Value: True

You should also create/modify the following key:
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters
Type: REG_SZ
Name: MaintainServerList
Value: True

You can then force an election with the BROWSTAT.EXE command.  You may have to download it from Microsoft.

 

by: adamdrayerPosted on 2007-05-16 at 10:58:43ID: 19102844

And WINS is not a replacement for a master browser.  Master browsers are important for more than just name resolution.  You need browsers for NetBIOS to function properly.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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