Topic: Samba gurus, browse sync problem?

[paulmancan2]

Can anyone tell me what to look at next regarding this problem? I cannot get cross subnet browse lists to sycn (VPN connection.) The logs keep showing 0 records. browse.dat on each machine contain lists of the machines on that subnet only.

THANKS!


"CLIENT":
[2005/03/31 16:13:10, 2] nmbd/nmbd_browsesync.c:sync_with_dmb(157)
  sync_with_dmb:
  Initiating sync with domain master browser WHOPPER<20> at IP 192.168.1.1 for workgroup TEST
[2005/03/31 16:13:10, 2] nmbd/nmbd_synclists.c:sync_browse_lists(171)
  Initiating browse sync for TEST to WHOPPER(192.168.1.1)
[2005/03/31 16:13:10, 3] lib/util_sock.c:open_socket_out(845)
  Connecting to 192.168.1.1 at port 139
[2005/03/31 16:13:10, 2] nmbd/nmbd_synclists.c:complete_sync(286)
  sync with WHOPPER(192.168.1.1) for workgroup TEST completed (0 records)


"SERVER":
[2005/03/31 15:59:23, 2] nmbd/nmbd_browsesync.c:sync_with_lmb(69)
  sync_with_lmb:
  Initiating sync with local master browser CHEESE<0x20> at IP 192.168.4.1 for workgroup TEST
[2005/03/31 15:59:23, 2] nmbd/nmbd_synclists.c:sync_browse_lists(171)
  Initiating browse sync for TEST to CHEESE(192.168.4.1)
[2005/03/31 15:59:23, 3] lib/util_sock.c:open_socket_out(845)
  Connecting to 192.168.4.1 at port 139
[2005/03/31 15:59:23, 2] nmbd/nmbd_synclists.c:complete_sync(286)
  sync with CHEESE(192.168.4.1) for workgroup TEST completed (0 records)

[CharlieBrady]

Can anyone tell me what to look at next regarding this problem? I cannot get cross subnet browse lists to sycn (VPN connection.)

What are you trying to do to get cross subnet browse lists to sync? (I can't answer your question, but you'll increase the chance that someone else can if you provide as much helpful information about your situation as you can.)

[paulmancan2]

Hi Charlie. NetBIOS/Browse Lists is old school I know. Unfortunately I have a proprietary product that relies on being able to see all machines in Network Neighborhood

I have followed the samba texts on browsing configuration and I believe I have the correct setup. I am using jprice's advanced workgroup contrib. He is probably the best person to talk to about this but I don't know where I can find/contact him!

Here is my setup:

a) Samba on each subnet is set to the same workgroup

b) One Samba box is set to be the Domain Master, Preferred Master and Local Master. The OS level is set to 65. It is also set as a WINS server.

c) Two other Samba boxes are set as Local Masters only with an OS level set to 65. They are set to point to the correct WINS server above.

d) WINS seems to be functioning correctly, I can ping hostnames across subnets. I have also verified that no workstations on the network are becoming Master Browsers. When I check browse.dat it only contains the list for that particular subnet. My understanding is that with the syncing these should collate. If I manually enter all machines in each of these files then the machines are all instantly visible in network neighborhood in all subnets, however once NMB refreshes the lists are reset.

[Boris]

There are template fragments:
/etc/e-smith/templates/etc/smb.conf/11remoteAnnounce
and 11remoteBrowseSync
You may want to copy them to template-custom folder and play with them.

[paulmancan2]

Not sure where these were but I had created my own anyway and tried them with no luck. If you look at my log those fragments should not be needed anyway... the annocements seem to be OK and the syncs start its just that they always return 0 records

Anyone know how to find jprice?

Also maybe there is a problem with the ports needed (137?, 138?, 139) through IPSEC?

[Boris]

Did you add other subnets to "local networks" lists on your SME servers?

[paulmancan2]

Hi again Boris. Yes this is correct. Also machines on any subnet are able to connect to or ping machines on another subnet by hostname through WINS.

I am using 2 X 5.6U6 boxes and 1 X 6.01. The 5.6 is the domain master.

[Boris]

"Advanced workgroup" contrib let you easy configured WINS servers address. Otherwize it can be done via (db config). Maybe try to configure your PDC SME as WINS Server and other SMEs to use first one as WINS server?

[paulmancan2]

Thanks Boris. If you read my second post then you would see that I have done this exactly

[paulmancan2]

I am still not having any luck with this. There doesn't seem to be anyone here with expertise in this area and I cannot find any way to get in touch with the advanced wg contrib author jprice.

I would be grateful if any can suggest any other resources I could try. Maybe it is not a SME specific issue.

Thanks!

[MSmith]

Question:  did this EVER work or are you trying to make it work now for the first time?

[MSmith]

Maybe this will help you, if all else fails ...

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=210327

[paulmancan2]

Ugggh this is nothing to do with MS. This is 3 SME boxes that are the master browsers on each subnet. Thanks anyway.

[MSmith]

Ugghhhhh ... actually the hosts and/or lmhosts entries should be done on the *workstations*.  I understood your setup.

[paulmancan2]

Hi MSmith. Didn't mean to be rude sorry, just was frustrated.

Correct me if I am mistaken but hosts/lmhosts is not going to squat for obtaining browse lists. All it will do is allow hostname resolution, a task that is being currently handled adequatly by WINS.

When you go to Network Neighborhood the workstations looks for the master browser on the network. When it finds it, it queries the browse list. The contents of such dictate what is seen in Network Neighborhood. With my current setup a seperate browse list is maintained on each SME box and what I am seeking is the correct sycnhronization/collation of these lists. It's not happening.