Networking Question

[Nick]

Hi,

I've heard about something that allows you to assign a hostname to LAN computers (e.g. yourpc.my.lan). Does anyone know what the proper name for this is called, as I'd like to get some information on how to use it.

Someone suggested WINS, but I want to use a 3rd party application if possible. PCs would be running Win 2000/XP.

Thanks.

[Nick]

Hi,

Just been Googling - and I *think* it might be called DDNS (Dynamic DNS). If anyone can verify this for me that'd be great.

Also, does anyone know of a free/cheap DHCP/DDNS application that can run on Windows XP? I don't mind so much about DDNS, but DHCP is a must.

Thanks.

[gaiahost]

Yeh its called a domain and client heh. the domain being my.lan which would be running off your network servers running winnt, win2k server or win2k3 server(2000's use active directory, NT would be called a PDC [Primary Domain Controller]) the client (computer on the lan) would get the yourpc name as its network identification. wins is also a part in all this. There really is no easy way to explain it you just have to learn how to network properly. I suggest reading an a+ certification or an MCP book. Dynamic dns is for people on the internet who have a dynamic ip and need to mask to something static in order to run a public domain. Winxp comes with DHCP but its not built to be a server so it cant dish out dhcp addresses properly, you would need to use a server platform. DDNS well not really an application you even need its usually going to somewhere like www.dyndns.org and masking a static name to your ip.

[Nick]

Hi,

I actually work for a web hosting company, so I do know how to network, and I find that rather insulting (i'm also studying for the A+ course).

I wasn't sure what Windows XP provided in terms of networking tools (DHCP, etc), as I'm used to networking with Linux.

I'll have a look for more info about PDC, and hopefully that'll prove useful.

Thanks for your help :)