Default Node Type for Microsoft Clients (160177)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.5
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 3.51
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows 95
This article was previously published under Q160177

SUMMARY

This document describes the default NetBIOS Node type for Windows if it is not specifically designated by a DHCP Server.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 2000 and Windows NT

NodeType
Key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Netbt\Parameters

Value Type: REG_DWORD - Number
Valid Range: 1,2,4,8 (b-node, p-node, m-node, h-node)
Default: 1 or 8 based on the WINS server configuration

Description: This parameter determines what methods NetBT will use to register and resolve names. A b-node system uses broadcasts. A p-node system uses only point-to-point name queries to a name server (WINS). An m- node system broadcasts first, then queries the name server. An h-node system queries the name server first, then broadcasts. Resolution through LMHOSTS and/or Domain Name Service (DNS), if enabled, will follow these methods. If this key is present, it will override the DhcpNodeType key. If neither key is present, the system defaults to b-node if there are no WINS servers configured for the client. The system defaults to h-node if there is at least one WINS server configured.

Windows 95

NodeType
Key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\MSTCP

Value type: DWORD
Valid range: 1, 2, 4, or 8
Default: 1 (b-node) if no value is specified or no WINS servers are configured on the network; 8 (h-node) if WINS servers are specified and NodeType is not otherwise defined in the Registry.

Description: This parameter specifies the mode of NetBIOS name resolution used by NetBIOS over TCP/IP. 1 = b-node (broadcasts), 2 = p-node (point-to- point name queries to a WINS server), 4 = m-node (broadcast then query name server), and 8 = h-node (query name server, then broadcast). If DNS is enabled (which also enabled LMHOSTS in Windows 95), name resolution will also follow the mode defined by this parameter. This value can also be configured using DHCP.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/3/2003
Keywords:kbinfo kbnetwork KB160177
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.