LMHOSTS File

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LMHOSTS File

An LMHOSTS file helps distribute the browsing information and service client requests. You can also use WINS to collect the browse lists and service client requests.

In the LMHOSTS file, the LM stands for LAN Manager; HOSTS is for the host computer. Its job is to resolve NetBIOS names to the corresponding IP address of remote hosts on different subnets. The purpose is to allow for communication between Master Browsers on remote subnets and the domain Master Browser. This sets up direct communication, enabling an updated list to be developed across a subnet. The one thing to remember about an LMHOSTS file is that it is your responsibility to create and maintain the file. Figure 10.11 illustrates using an LMHOSTS file in a network. A WINS service can dynamically provide this resolution for you.

Using an LMHOSTS file is a workable solution, but be aware of some considerations. The LMHOSTS file must be on each and every subnet’s Master Browser with an entry to the domain Master Browser to work. It must also be updated manually any time there are changes to the LMHOSTS list. The LMHOSTS file needs to be placed in the winntroot\system32\drivers\etc directory. There are sample TCP/IP files already you can use to reference. It is just a regular text file that can be created using any text editor. There is no file extension, and Windows NT will look and reference the file in this location whenever it needs to. The two items needed in the LMHOSTS file for it to work across a subnet are as follows:

IP address and computer name of the domain Master Browser
The domain name preceded by #PRE and #DOM:

For example:

129.62.101.5 server1 #PRE #DOM:try
129.62.101.17 server2 #PRE
129.62.101.25 server3 #PRE

The #PRE statement preloads the specific line it is on into memory as a permanent entry in the name cache making it easily available without having to first access the domain.

#DOM:<domain_name> allows for login validation over a router, account synchronization, and, in this case, browsing. Every time the computer sends a broadcast to a domain it also sends it to every computer that has a #DOM: in its LMHOSTS file. These types of broadcasts do go across routers, but are not sent to workgroups. There are many difficulties to watch out for, each of which shall be discussed in the following subsections.

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