Specifications

7.8 Network Neighborhood – My Network Places

Windows network neighborhood allows one to browse local computers. To show up in the neighborhood

each machine must be running the Microsoft file and print sharing service, even if nothing is being shared.

The neighborhood is organized by workgroup name, in a small LAN all machines typically belong to a

single workgroup, like HomeLAN. At least one machine in each workgroup must be configured as the

Browse Master. Ideally this is a machine that is left on all the time. Browse Mastership is negotiated at

power up; in general it is a good idea to disable Brows Master on the clients. If the Browse Master is

running on a client, the network neighborhood becomes unavailable when the client is turned off, until the

remaining machines arbitrate Browse Master ownership again.

Windows Security Tip – By default file and print sharing is configured to be accessible to all

interfaces. Sharing should be disabled on any interface that has direct access to the Internet, such

as dialup modem. Go to Networking on the Windows control panel find the entry that starts

TCP/IP ->Dialup Adapter, go to Bindings and uncheck “File and Printer sharing for Microsoft

Networks.” Unchecking this feature prevents access to shares by anyone on the Internet while still

allowing LAN access.

Windows Configuration Tip – If one machine is permanently on force it to win Brows Master

election. This guarantees the Network Neighborhood is always available. On the always on PC go

to File and Print sharing in Network control panel open Advanced tab, highlight Browse Master

and change the Value to Enabled. Set Browse Master to disable on the other PCs.

Windows Configuration Tip – a computer must have file and print sharing service running to be

visible in network neighborhood. Sharing must be installed even if nothing is shared.

Windows Configuration Tip – There appears to be a compatibility problem between Win2000 and

Win98/ME browsing. We had trouble getting a Win 98 laptop to show up in a network of Win

2000 machines. The solution to was to create separate workgroup names for the Win 2000 and

Win98 machines. The laptop was put in a workgroup of one and the Browse Master for forced on.

Windows Configuration Tip – If Windows is configured for user authentication and you do not

enter a password access to Network Neighborhood is denied, even though other IP based

communication is allowed.

Windows Configuration Tip – If you are running a person firewall be sure it does not block the

NetBIOS ports used to discover local host names and share files.

From IANA.ORG registered Port numbers:

netbios-ns 137/tcp NETBIOS Name Service

netbios-ns 137/udp NETBIOS Name Service

netbios-dgm 138/tcp NETBIOS Datagram Service

netbios-dgm 138/udp NETBIOS Datagram Service

netbios-ssn 139/tcp NETBIOS Session Service

netbios-ssn 139/udp NETBIOS Session Service

7.9 Implementation

The LAN wired with Category 5 cable connected to a SMC 16-port 10/100BaseT hub. If this were a new

installation I’d opt for a switch rather then a hub. Most rooms are wired with two Ethernet drops.

Except for one laptop all Ethernet adapters operate at 100Mbp/s. The cost difference between 10 and

100Mbp/s Ethernet is negligible making 100Mbp/s devices the preferred choice. The 10/100 autosensing

hub automatically rates matches between 10 and 100Mbp/s ports. This provides seamless upgrade to

100Mbp/s. When purchasing a hub get one with more ports then you think you will need, networks tend to

grow over time.