Samba related question.

[p.lussier at comcast.net]

In a message dated: Wed, 11 Feb 2004 12:51:49 EST
"Andrew W. Gaunt" said:

>Just to cut to the chase, it looks as thought you would
>could make things better by setting the linux box up
>as a DNS server that serves a local domain (with
>info re: stuff on the LAN in its zone file) and
>caches/forwards everything else. Then configure the
>clients (including the client side of the linux box's
>DNS) use it as a DNS server.

I get the impression that this is a small business environment 
without overly tech-savy people.  In which case, I would consider the 
configuration of a DNS server to be more trouble than it's worth.  
All the Windows systems are already likely configured to broadcast 
WINS data, so it would be trivial to configure Samba to handle the 
job of WINS server.  Also, it needs next to no upkeep, since any new 
clients would automatically broadcast their existence and partake in 
a WINS election.  DNS on the otherhand, would require at the least, 
manual entry/assignment of hostnames/IPs for each new client.

If memory serves, the OP mentioned that the network was handled via 
DHCP from a SOHO router.  This means that there is likely no static 
assignment of IP addresses.  Something which would cause problems if 
dependant on statically assigned data in DNS.  Of course, he 
configure DHCP w/ dynamic DNS on a Linux box, but again, this is all 
a lot more work than adding a 'WINS = yes' statement to a Samba 
config file and being done with it.
-- 

Seeya,
Paul
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