Reading this list makes me think my questions are child's play for ya'll. */1) //Should I have more than one "computer browser" on my lan /*/(~16 machines)/*/?/* I'd read someplace that I should have 1 primary and 1 backup computer browser for up to 32 computers and then another backup browser for each additional 32 computers. IF this is true then I'd still like to know how to do this now that I only have 1 winXP machine that I can muck about with but two samba candidates available. I would assume at this point that I'd have to set the winXP machine to NOT be a 'browser'. I'd then need to use the below parms on the two samba machines, with some different settings to have them perform this function. os level = nnn (0 to 255) preferred master = yes/no domain master = yes/no local master = yes/no My problem is I'm not sure how the settings should vary from "primary" to "backup". To have one of the samba machines be primary (let's say the machine I'm calling C20) would these parms work: /*2) If so, can you help me with these settings? */ C20... the primary computer browser? os level = 36 preferred master = yes domain master = yes local master = yes Then on C19... the backup computer browser? os level = 35 preferred master = ?? domain master = ?? local master = ?? I think this would make C20 "win an election" but would this make them both win an "election" over the winXP machine should one come on-line with computer browser set on? Are there better settings and / or are some of these not needed for my little world? Thanx, Skip
Skip Guenter wrote:> <snip> > */1) //Should I have more than one "computer browser" on my lan > /*/(~16 machines)/*/?/* > > I'd read someplace that I should have 1 primary and 1 backup computer > browser for up to 32 computers and then another backup browser for > each additional 32 computers. > <snip>Do you know where you heard this? I've never heard of it and it seems wrong. As I understand it there is only the master browser role there is no concept of a "backup", in the event that the master goes down there is a new election and a new master is chosen. In any case 32 users is ridiculous there are people out there supporting thousands of users, I can guarantee they don't have one server per 32 users.> os level = nnn (0 to 255) > preferred master = yes/no > domain master = yes/no > local master = yes/no >All of these are fairly well explained in the man page. OS level should be higher for the more reliable/important machine *IF* you have a reason to change it, the defaults will be fine for 99% of cases. Preferred master use this if it is important that one machine is the master (i.e. if you have a domain) don't set it on more than one machine. Domain master is only needed if your network spreads across multiple subnets. You should only have one per workgroup/domain. Local master this is only really needed if you have a machine that you definitely don't want to be in charge of anything, otherwise the default of yes is fine.> <snip>*Michael Heydon - IT Administrator * michaelh@jaswin.com.au <mailto:michaelh@jaswin.com.au>
Skip Guenter wrote:> Reading this list makes me think my questions are child's play for ya'll. > > */1) //Should I have more than one "computer browser" on my lan /*/(~16 > machines)/*/?/* >You are thinking about the computer that will hold the "master browse list" for netbios name resolution. The answer to your question - NO, there is no need. One of the samba servers on your lan will win the browse election and become the master browser. Each other machine will hold a copy of the browse list. If the master dies, then the normal election rules apply and another box will become the master. The master can serve thousands of clients. (hundreds at least) There is no need for a backup. Netbios name resolution has nothing to do with a Primary Domain Controller (PDC) or Backup Domain Controller (BDC).> os level = nnn (0 to 255) > preferred master = yes/no > domain master = yes/no > local master = yes/noFor the box that is the samba server, presumably the one that is always on, Just set the os level higher than that of the other boxes. Browse election rules are discussed at: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba2/book/ch07.html Setting os level greater than 32 will insure that your samba box will win the election over all Win boxes.> > My problem is I'm not sure how the settings should vary from "primary" > to "backup". To have one of the samba machines be primary (let's say > the machine I'm calling C20) would these parms work: > > /*2) If so, can you help me with these settings? */ > > C20... the primary computer browser? > > os level = 36 > preferred master = yes > domain master = yes > local master = yes > > Then on C19... the backup computer browser? > > os level = 35 > preferred master = ?? > domain master = ?? > local master = ?? > > I think this would make C20 "win an election" but would this make them > both win an "election" over the winXP machine should one come on-line > with computer browser set on? Are there better settings and / or are > some of these not needed for my little world? > > Thanx, Skip >Weedhopper, just read http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba2/book/ch07.html and all will become clear ;-) -- David C. Rankin, J.D., P.E. Rankin Law Firm, PLLC 510 Ochiltree Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Telephone: (936) 715-9333 Facsimile: (936) 715-9339 www.rankinlawfirm.com