> Services > Computer Browser Service (distributed protocol required for running the Computer Browser Service) The Computer Browser Service is implemented in the Applet.

Computer Browser Service - "maintains an up-to-date list of computers, and provides the list to applications when requested. Provides the computer lists displayed in the Network Neighborhood, Select Computer, Select Domain, and Server Manager Dialog boxes.

Broadcasting

• A computer announces itself and its resources upon network connection. It broadcasts its presence by ?shouting? its NetBIOS name. The Master Browser ?hears? this broadcast and registers the new machine. .
• After the computer is connected, it rebroadcasts itself every 12 minutes. This causes much network traffic.
• If a computer goes offline without properly disconnecting, its resources may remain listed in the browser service for up to 51 minutes until the Master Browser removes its entries and Backup Browsers get updated.
• If a computer goes offline without properly disconnecting, a resource on the machine may remain listed in the browser service for up to 36 minutes until the Master Browser removes its entries and Backup Browsers get updated.
• Backup Browsers poll Master Browser every 15 minutes for an updated list.

PDC - The Master Browser

• The Primary Domain Controller (PDC) will be the browse master for the entire domain. Master Browser maintains the main list of all available resources within a domain (including links to external domains).

Domain Master Browser (DMB) -  on TCP/IP networks, DMB can be used to enable resource lists to be communicated across subnets within the same domain. By default, the DMB is the PDC. There is a Master Browser within each subnet.

Backup Browser

• Backup Browser maintains a copy of list of the resources and acts in a similar way within the Browser service as does the BDC with domain control. Backup Browser can serve lists of resources to clients.  Maximum of 3 backup Browsers per domain

Potential Browser

• Any machine capable of becoming a Backup or Master Browser. As needed, the Browser service changes the role of a machine from Potential Browser to Backup Browser. Unlimited number possible.

Browser Elections

• When a Browse Master or Backup is turned off, there is an election to pick a new browse master. Order of precedence follows:
  NT Server
  NT Workstation
  Windows 95
  WFW

Puttin on the Fix

• HKEY_ LOCAL_ MACHINE \SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\ Services\ Browser\ Parameters
• MaintainServerList - determines whether a machine can be a potential Browser.
  • No = non-browser. This is the Registry setting that allows your computer NOT to participate in Browser elections and thus, not be a browser on the network. Computers will still be able to browse your computer. Stopping this service from the Services Applet may not be enough?
  • Yes = machine is a Master Browser or Backup Browser.
  • Auto = allows Browser service to decide
• IsDomainMaster - sets the machine to be the Master Browser.
  • True or
  • False.

\HKEY_ LOCAL _ MACHINE \ System \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ LanmanServer \ Parameters ; you can change how often a browser client announces itself. Increasing this value will decrease network traffic. Add the "Announce" parameter with a type of REG_DWORD and set the number of seconds the browser should wait between annoucements. Example: 12 minutes = 720. Caution: The Announce value must be changed on all computers in the workgroup or domain before the new value can be used by all computers. Recommend testing this extensively before using this option as a solution

Browser Tools from NTS4RK

• Browstat
• Browser Monitor

SAP Agent is available in the Network Applet > Services.

SAP

• 1. Service Advertising Protocol - a NetWare protocol used to identify the services and addresses of servers attached to the network. The responses are used to update a table in the router known as the Server Information Table.
• 2. IPX servers use the Service Advertising Protocol (SAP) to automatically notify other IPX nodes of their presence and the services they provide. IPX servers, but not routers, issue SAP broadcasts every 60 seconds. Clients use SAP to determine what network resources are available. SAP broadcasts cause congestion on networks."

NWLink does not use SAP by default.