Master Browser

[Deceiver]

How do I find out who is the Master Browser or make my computer master browser under win2k?

 

[Deceiver]

Actually I think it might be called Browse Master

 

[Skippy]

To make your computer master browser under Win2000, first ensure that the computer browser service is set to automatic. Then open regedit and search for the string named "maintainserverlist" when you find the 3rd instance of this string set it to "Yes". There are three options for the string "no" (does not participate in browser elections) "yes" (IS master browser, no election participation needed) and "auto" (Participate in elections). Hope this helps.

 

[Deceiver]

Is there a way to tell who is master browser?

 

[stash]

If you are on an NT-server based network, you can find out the master browser with the BROWMON.EXE utility in the NT resource kit.

A little primer on browsing:
"The first time a server (in the loose Microsoft sense of server, any computer that can share data, including Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, or NT Workstation) starts up, it calls out for the master browser, so the server can advertise itself with that master browser. If no master browser responds, then the server "calls an election," suggesting the network's servers hold an election to find who would best be master browser." Mark Minasi -- Mastering Windows NT server seventh edition.

So in other words, the master browser can change at any time. If a master browser is powered down, there will be an election. If a server comes up and finds a master browser that is "lower" than it is (say windows 95, and the new server is nt server) then an election will be held.

There are various registry keys such as IsDomainMasterBrowser=yes and MaintainServerList=Auto or Yes that can increase your computers chances in an election. Theres a whole list of criteria in an election, including OS, PDC (yes/no), WINS (yes/no), preferred master browser, current MB, and others.

Obviously, this can take some time out of a network, so you can cut down on the number of elections by adding MaintainServerList=No in the SYSTEM.INI on a WfW pc or setting the Browse Master property in File and Printer sharing to Disabled on a Win95 machine.

Finally, if your network is comprised of multiple TCP/IP segments, a Domain Master Browser is created. Its job is to gather all the browse lists from the master browsers on each segment and propogate them throughout the enterprise.

So to answer the second part of your question, depending on how your network is set up, and what OS you are running, you can increase your chances of being the master browser. The almost sure fire winner is an NT server that is a PDC, using WINS for name resolution, registry key IsDomainMasterBrowser=yes and MaintainServerList=yes.

So there is the (drawn out) answer to your question