Windows allows you to resolve NetBIOS names using the HOSTS file or
Domain Name System (DNS) server. To do this, you must select the Enable
DNS for Windows Name Resolution check box in the Advanced Microsoft TCP/IP
Configuration dialog box of Control Panel Network.
In addition, Windows uses Windows Internet Name Service (WINS), b-node
broadcasts and the LMHOSTS file for NetBIOS name resolution. If all of
these name resolution methods are used, an h-node host computer implements
them in the following order:
- NetBIOS name cache
- WINS server
- B-node broadcast
- LMHOSTS file
- HOSTS file
- DNS server
NOTE: This setting and the name-resolution order above apply only to NetBIOS name resolution. Any Winsock name resolution queries the HOSTS file and assigns DNS servers first.