Don't understand why hosts file resolves hostname -> IP and not netbios -> IP

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Hi all, sorry if its a stupid question. I understand the concepts of the hostfile converting the hostname (Full computer name) to IP but why does it have to convert the hostname and not the netbios name (abbreviated computer name)

But then why does WINS convert netbios name to IP. Is it just a process of the computer needs something to convert the netbios name and the hostname?

Please help

Thanks anyone that has replied!

Dave

 

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The hosts file is for converting fully qualified domain names to an IP. There is another file named lmhosts which is used for converting NetBios names. Netbios names are a single named identifier, such as you may have a computer on your network named COMPUTER01. If you are using NetBios/WINS then they can identify that computer by the name COMPUTER01. However in more common networking the computer would need fully qualified domain name, such as COMPUTER01.YOURNETWORK.LOCAL.
This is to do with DNS and the internet.

See http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=807 for more info.

 

I think you're getting confused. The PC will have TWO files, one for DNS names -> IP (HOSTS), and one for NETBIOS names -> IP (LMHOSTS)

• The HOSTS file provides a static method for resolving hostnames to IP addresses (much the same as DNS)
  
  
• The LMHOSTS file provides a similar function, but is used for NETBIOS name resolution (much the same as WINS). This method is used more for legacy purposes / small networks.

Both files are generally used as failovers when a DNS/WINS server is not available, as they have to be manually updated in order to provide comms between multiple devices (which is a pain.)

Qs

 

Thanks, that makes it easier. But, why does both the NETBIOS and HOSTNAME need to be transferred to IP addresses. I know the computer can only communicate through IP addresses. But why cant it just transfer the hostname(Full computer name) to IP. why is there an extra need for the LMHOST file to transfer the netbios name too.?

Regards,

 

Its one or the other. Some old applications may only be able to use NetBios, and therefore LMHOSTS or a WINS server will have to be queried. Microsoft Windows by default, will query using DNS, which has a series of steps to try and resolve a name. If a DNS answer cannot be found, Windows will then query NETBios, in a series of steps.

Please see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/172218 for more information.

 

Thanks for your help, that makes learning it a lot easier. when you say applications do you mean applications or operating systems as I thought it was the operating system that had the lmhost file / host file.

Regards, and thanks

Dave

 

applications use the OS to do this.

 

Oh right thanks,

Dave