Topic: wins ping windows host name

[Baddogg]

Hi!

I came across a curious problem; perhaps someone has the answer.  I have a test SME server at work and was thinking of writing a PHP MYSQL script to poll the LAN to compose a software database.  When attempting to use file_exists to peer into another hard drive using c$ (hidden share), I realized that name resolution was not happening on the SME box.  I edited smb.conf and restarted the service pointing "wins server = 10.0.0.20", the LAN wins server...

If I ping the IP, no problem; however, if I ping by net BIOS name, it comes back unknown host...

I would appreciate any input...

cheers,

Wes

[Charlie Brady]

Baddogg wrote:

> When attempting to use file_exists to
> peer into another hard drive using c$ (hidden share), I
> realized that name resolution was not happening on the SME
> box.  I edited smb.conf and restarted the service pointing
> "wins server = 10.0.0.20", the LAN wins server...
>
> If I ping the IP, no problem; however, if I ping by net BIOS
> name, it comes back unknown host...

Windows blurs the distinction between an Internet name (DNS) and a windows file sharing name (netbios), but linux does not. You shouldn't use WINS names for anything other than file sharing - which is why it doesn't work with ping.

If you really must use netbios names, then lookup WINS using nmblookup, then ping by IP address.

Charlie

[Baddogg]

May I inquire what, exactly does the wins server = entry in smb.conf do?  I can't seem to use it to mount remote shares, or as stated, use it to resolve names to IP addresses with ping.

I have a very specific purpose for being able to mount drives in succession and test for the existance of certain files and log the results into a mysql database to poll the network for software inventory.

Is the solution making an entry into hosts for each machine?

Thanks, Charlie for your prior explanation.    It does help.

Thanks in advance to anyone for continuing this thread.

Baddogg