Is there a benfit to using Net Bui over TCP/IP?

[Toro 45]

I'm using TCP/IP now on my LAN without any trouble until I added my 4th comp,transfer rate is much slower than the other 3.

I have never used NETBUI but I hear a lot of talk about it. Would it be better than TCP/IP? More Secure? Faster?

Speed on the first 3 is excellent just the 4th one that is slow(only one using Win ME,Also has a 50 foot cable to switch)

Thanks,Toro

 

[Kanly]

It's definitely more secure

NetBUI

WHat you want to do is just use TCP/IP for internet and NETBUI for lan.

Lots of details and info in above link.

 

[lotust]

does that security issue just apply to a perminate IP adress?

 

[davisdog]

lotust...
no...it provides added security for your internal network whenever you are connected to the internet, regardless of whether you have a permanent (static) IP or Dynamic...hackers are constantly scanning all ips looking for holes

 

[BCYL]

Basically NetBeui is a non-routable protocol... which means it will not be broadcast over the internet...

Since TCP/IP is a protocol designed for the internet, if your internal LAN also uses TCP/IP and is unprotected from the internet, it's like your internal network is part of the internet for everyone else to see and visit. People can possibly access your harddrives and printers (if you have file and printer sharing enabled)...

However since NetBeui was designed for internal network communications, hackers from the internet would not be able to come into your LAN and browse through your PCs... That's why it is more secure to use TCP/IP just for internet connection sharing, and use NetBeui for all your internal LAN communications etc...

Visit the link DukeLeto provided above... it gives a more detailed explanation on what's going on...

 

[Toro 45]

That is a good site, I went there last night & used it to set up NetBeui. I'm still a little unsure if I have it set up properly.

I went into the TCP/IP & removed the checks from the 3 boxes in bindings on my NIC. Also left it on auto detect for IP adress.

Now on the advanced tab for net beui do I need to check"set this protocol to default protcol"? To enable net beui?

It seems little confusing because people say to use Net Beui for your lan & TCP/IP for your internet connection but both protocols are listed next to my NIC Is that what "setting Net Beui to default protcol" does, seperates them?

Thanks to all that replied to this thread,
Toro

 

[lotust]

I am with you Toro 45 that has got me all cunfused ? I did what you did too. But I could not get on the internet afterwards

 

[Santa]

You have to figure out which adapter is your Internet connection.

1) If you are cable modem/DSL/ISDN/Broadband via Network Card you have two Network Adapters and you have to figure out which one is which. The one that is the Internet adapater unbind Netbui from it and just have TCP/IP binded to it. The other Adapter have Netbui binded to it and thats it.

2) If you are dialup then your Dial up adapter is your Internet connection so unbind netbui from that and keep TCP/IP and your network adapter is your internal network so just have Netbui bounded to that and not TCP/IP

 

[vi edit]

This method is called "protocol isolation", basically, you make your internal network oblivious to the outside world.

The biggest issue that I have found with it is gaming compatibility. Some games that require TCP/IP will give you hell and won't be able to find games. I've found that disabling the "netbios" box as noted in that tutorial is the main instigator.

 

[LongTimePCUser]

Be very, very careful if you have both netbui and file\printer sharing on your PC.

The netbios port is very vulnerable to being hacked. Make sure that you are using something like ZoneAlarm to protect yourself.

Look at the the following site to learn about the vulnerablities.Gibson Research. I used to think that unbinding file\print sharing from my NIC that connected to my ADSL modem would protect me. The Gibson Research port scanner found the Netbios port open.

 

[Kanly]

Long Time, the link in my first post is from Steve Gibson.

Everyone who uses Netbui needs to make sure that in the TCP/IP properties of your ethernet card/modem that under the Nebtios Tab you uncheck "I want to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP"

When you install Netbui for the first time, this will be enabled. Steve Gibson has great step-by-step directions for making sure everyhting is how it should be.

 

[Cnuke]

NetBeui does not have the over head that TCP/Ip has. It is much quicker, but lacks the security.

 

[H.A.R.M]

Ah, there is some obvious mis information running around here (well, there were some good posts too). Hope the following information helps

NetBEUI is: Very Noisy Protocol (stick a packet sniffer on your network and find out)
Non-routeable Protocol (as someone else pointed out)
Great protocol to use in small networks (not connected to the internet)

TCP/IP is: Very efficient protocol (well, compared to NetBEUI & IPX/SPX in MOST cases)
Well supported but a pain for novices to implement and understand

Overview: Security is only as good as you are (I'm meaning to rip on anyone here), I use the approach that NO network is secure EVEN using seperate protocols for LAN/WAN use (besides, how many of us know how to bind what protocol with what network interface) for some of the more talented "hackers". I know a high school student that is sending out ARP tables over the network to point other students web browers to his "site".....