samba - Nov 2002 - Name resolution problem, looking for advice on best solution

I have a Redhat 7.2 server for DNS, Web, File Sharing via Samba, for my
SOHO network of 6 Win2K workstations. I have a workgroup, not a domain. 
The server is on a static IP and the workstations are DHCP assigned the
Dlink gateway, which also tells them the DNS IP.

 I am having a problem where some of the workstations can see some of
the others in Network Neighbourhood, but some can't. SMB Name Resolution
is not working right.

I have tried preferred master=yes but it makes no difference.
Sometimes it all works perfectly, but often it doesn't. I suspect Samba
is losing the elections as Master Browser. The server is always up, but
the workstations come and go.

What is the optimum config for this size of network?
Should I use Samba as WINS server?
Is there a modification to the workstations that will stop them taking
over as Master Browser?
Should I use some kind of Dynamic DNS and how do I do that?

Chris Mason
masonc@masonc.com
Box 340, The Valley, Anguilla, British West Indies
Tel: 264 497 5670 Fax: 264 497 8463 Cell: 264 235 5670
http://www.anguillaguide.com/ The Anguilla Guide
Talk to me in real time:
Yahoo:netconcepts_anguilla
US Fax and Voicemail: (815)301-9759

try
   wins support = yes
my smb.conf is below,
hth,
-greg

On Wed, 2002-11-13 at 14:18, Chris Mason wrote:
> I have a Redhat 7.2 server for DNS, Web, File Sharing via Samba, for my
> SOHO network of 6 Win2K workstations. I have a workgroup, not a domain. 
> The server is on a static IP and the workstations are DHCP assigned the
> Dlink gateway, which also tells them the DNS IP.
> 
>  I am having a problem where some of the workstations can see some of
> the others in Network Neighbourhood, but some can't. SMB Name
Resolution
> is not working right.
> 
> I have tried preferred master=yes but it makes no difference.
> Sometimes it all works perfectly, but often it doesn't. I suspect Samba
> is losing the elections as Master Browser. The server is always up, but
> the workstations come and go.
> 
> What is the optimum config for this size of network?
> Should I use Samba as WINS server?
> Is there a modification to the workstations that will stop them taking
> over as Master Browser?
> Should I use some kind of Dynamic DNS and how do I do that?
> 
> Chris Mason
> masonc@masonc.com
> Box 340, The Valley, Anguilla, British West Indies
> Tel: 264 497 5670 Fax: 264 497 8463 Cell: 264 235 5670
> http://www.anguillaguide.com/ The Anguilla Guide
> Talk to me in real time:
> Yahoo:netconcepts_anguilla
> US Fax and Voicemail: (815)301-9759
/etc/samba/smb.conf:
[global]
   workgroup= pomco
   wins support = yes
   domain master = yes
   server string= %h/%L
   security= user
   encrypt passwords = yes
   null passwords = true
   unix password sync = Yes
  #smb passwd file = /v/etc/smbpasswd
   passwd program = /usr/bin/passwd %u
   passwd chat = *New*password* %n\n *Retype*new*password* %n\n
*passwd:*all*authentication*tokens*updated*successfully*
   log file = /var/log/samba/%m.log
   max log size = 0
   socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_RCVBUF=8192 SO_SNDBUF=8192
   dos filetimes = True
   time server = True
   name resolve order = wins bcast host lmhosts
   writeable=yes

#map DOS archive attribute to UNIX owner execute bit
#map DOS system  attribute to UNIX group execute bit
#map DOS hidden  attribute to UNIX world execute bit
   map archive = yes
   map system = yes
   map hidden = yes
#create files and directories with group write permission unless otherwise
specified below
   create mask = 0775
   directory mask = 0775
#allow user to change any of their file or directory permission bits
   security mask = 0777
   directory security mask = 0777
#disconnect inactive sessions after 5 minutes
   deadtime= 5

[printers]
   path = /var/spool/samba
   guest ok = no
   printable = yes
   browseable = no
   writeable = no

[root]
   path= /
   valid users= @admin
   browseable=no

[cd]
   path= /au/cd
   writeable=no
   public=yes
   browseable=no

[fl]
   path= /au/fl
   public=yes
   browseable=no

[b]
   path= /b/h
   browseable=no

[private]
   comment = %U's Private Folder
   path= %H/private

[public]
   comment = Public Folders
   path= /samba/public

[proj]
   comment = Project Folders
   path= /samba/proj

[temp]
   comment= Temporary space (erased after 10 days)
   path= /v/temp
   public=yes

[util]
   comment = Utilities
   path= /samba/util

[winins]
   comment = Utilities
   path= /u/winins