Microsoft KB Archive/254825

= MSCS: Creating Multiple Virtual Servers with the Same NetBIOS Name =

Article ID: 254825

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

-

APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 4
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6
 * Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 6a
 * Microsoft Cluster Server 1.1

-



This article was previously published under Q254825



SYMPTOMS
Microsoft Cluster Server allows you to create multiple network name resources with the same NetBIOS name and bring those resources online. When you do this, you do not typically see error messages from Cluster Server or in the local node's System event log. However, from the clients' perspective, the cluster virtual servers may be unavailable or appear to go online and offline sporadically. This behavior is to be expected if this situation exists.



CAUSE
All Cluster Server resources must be unique in the way they are presented to the rest of the network. Creating two virtual servers with the same NetBIOS name is no different from creating two stand-alone servers with the same NetBIOS name. The industry standards for NetBIOS name resolution prohibit multiple computers on the same network from having the same NetBIOS name. For additional information about TCP/IP over NetBIOS, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

128233 Comparison of Windows NT Network Protocols



RESOLUTION
This is not a supported configuration on Cluster Server. All resources must be unique in how they are presented on the network (that is, how the clients see them). Unpredictable behavior results from multiple resources with the same name.

Keywords: kbenv kbnetwork kbprb KB254825

-

[mailto:TECHNET@MICROSOFT.COM Send feedback to Microsoft]

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.