Browser Master Issues

[amfony]

Hi Gang,

 

Ive a problem with Browse master (and understanding its role in a multi-vlan/subnet environment).

 

I see in my member servers and random client machines how "<> thinks its the master browser, a reelection is bein forced" in the event logs and ive successfully not had to worry about this problem but now (since bringing in 3 new member servers) thinks starting to go abit south as far as timeouts looking for servers within programs.

 

Can anyone please explain how the heirarchy should wrk in a multi vlan enviorment IE wins server should be the browser master, each vlan have it own master? such and such.

 

Any help/info would be great.

 

Thanks alot guys and girl!

[SYNACK]

This site could be a worthwhile read to learn more about the inner workings of it:

Network Browsing

 

In a multi subnetted environment unless you have NETBIOS over TCP/IP turned on there should be one master browser and a backup browser in each subnet. The PDC role holder should be the Domain Master Browser that will always win the election in the subnet.

 

I know that I had issues with browser elections between 2003 servers when one was sealed off from the others by ISA, I had to allow communication between the servers to resolve this.

 

Almost all applications should be able to use WINS at the very least to resolve host names though so it may be a good idea to check out the configuration of your WINS server and make sure that it is being picked up properly by your clients.