Configuring and using NetBIOS

Configuration considerations over TCP/IP

There are special considerations you need to take into account when usingNetBIOS with TCP/IP. These considerations are described in the following sections. For example, the format of the /etc/hosts file can vary from one vendor's TCP/IP to another. If you modify this file, be sure to use the format appropriate to the version of TCP/IP you are using. The way broadcast messages are handled can also vary from one vendor's TCP/IP to another. Investigate any differences among the various versions of TCP/IP on your network and the methods for resolving those differences. Finally, be sure that the NetBIOS scope identifier has the same value on all the computers running NetBIOS and TCP/IP on the same network.

NOTE: Many customizing errors are the result of the NetBIOS scope identifier being configured incorrectly. If you must change the scope identifier, make sure you understand how the mechanism works. This is described in ``Setting the scope identifier''.