Browser service
Browser service or Computer Browser Service[1] is a feature of Microsoft Windows to let users easily browse and locate shared resources in neighboring computers. This is done by aggregating the information in a single computer 'Browse Master' (or 'Master Browser'). All other computers contact this computer for information and display in the Network Neighborhood window.
Browser service runs on MailSlot / Server Message Block and thus can be used with all supported transport protocol such as NetBEUI, IPX/SPX and TCP/IP. Browser service relies heavily on broadcast, so it is not available across network segments separated by routers. Browsing across different IP subnets need the help of Domain Master Browser, which is always the Primary Domain Controller (PDC). Therefore browsing across IP subnets is not possible in a pure workgroup network.
[edit] In Windows XP
In Windows XP, Computer Browser Service provides backwards compatibility for Windows versions that don't use Active Directory. For My Network Places, Windows Explorer, and the net view command, Computer Browser is still needed in XP[2].
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Microsoft: Description of the Microsoft Computer Browser Service
- Microsoft: Computer Browser Service Technical Reference
- Petri IT Knowledgebase: What’s the Microsoft Computer Browser Service?
- Microsoft: Windows NT Browser Service (Chapter 3 of the Networking Guide of the Windows NT Server Resource Kit; for Windows NT 4.0 servers)
- Microsoft: Troubleshooting the Microsoft Computer Browser Service (on Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0)
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