Windows Server and Networking Services - Term Paper Example

 Introduction Windows Server 2003 provides several networking services. In addition to the Active Directory Service, the core service that ties all the other components and services together to form the Windows Server 2003 network, Windows Server 2003 offers DNS, DHCP, SNMP, RRAS, Client Service for NetWare, Gateway Service for NetWare, File and Print Service for Mac, File and Print Service for UNIX, SUS, TELNET, IIS, and FTP. Along with all these there is also the WINS which is by far the most interesting and effective system in my belief. Here, we would discuss the details of the service WINS after which there should not be any skepticism about WINS or for that matter Windows Server 2003. But before we begin here is a little note on Windows Server 2003. According to Henry King in his book Information Today: A new Interface of the Changing World and Other Related Components, published in April 2006, Windows Server 2003 is “the name of Microsoft's line of server operating systems. It was introduced in April 2003 as the successor to Windows 2000 Server, and is considered by Microsoft to be the cornerstone of their Windows Server System line of business server products.” (King, 115) And for Windows 2000 Server the WINS is the best possible service as he states “Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) introduces new features and enhancements to the WINS Service, WINS Client, and WINS Manager. WINS provides a distributed database for registering and querying dynamic computer name-to-IP address mapping in a routed network environment.” (King, 148) Background and specifics Windows Internet Naming Service or WINS is implemented by Microsoft for NetBIOS Name Server (NBNS) on Windows. It basically acts as a name server and service for NetBIOS computer names. In other words it serves the same purpose for NetBIOS what DNS acts for the domain names. In a general form there are multiple WINS working simultaneously within a system. These WINS servers are activated in a push pull formulation. This is put forward as a better alternative for the working structure of the hub and spoke formulation. In other words the design of the WINS server is practically present in a decentralized formation where there are no traces of any focal spot. The record of the WINS service system is stored within each individual WINS server thereby making it extremely safe to handle which otherwise would have been very docile and misbalanced like many other service providing systems. In fact each part holds the exact full copy so that no record is ever lost at any point. As a result of this formation, which is unique in all the senses, the WINS service system contains no hierarchy formation. This way it is much different from the DNS. “But like DNS its database can be queried for the address to contact rather than broadcasting a request for which address to contact. The system therefore reduces broadcast traffic on the network, however replication traffic can add to WAN / LAN traffic.” (King, 156) The WINS service contains a number of very interesting features like: Dynamic re-registration Increased fault tolerance Record verification and version number validation Persistent connections Dynamic record deletion and multi-select Enhanced filtering and record searching Manual tombstoning Improved management tools Export function Examples Each of the above mentioned features is unique and makes the WINS server real worthy. For example: In WINS the persistent connections is a completely configurable feature that allows unrelenting connection with every WINS server. This way the maintenance of a productive and efficient system is formed. Further more this enables the system to exterminate any and every sort of undesired replication that way the needed desired replication could be speeded up. Another very interesting feature of the WINS service is the Manual tombstoning. Manual tombstoning is used to “marks a record for deletion so that the tombstone state for the record is replicated across all of WINS, preventing an undeleted copy of the record on a different server database from being re-propagated.” (King, 151) Yet another example of the excellent feature made available by the WINS service is the Enhanced filtering and record searching feature. The Enhanced filtering and record searching feature is extremely helpful for locating records of interest. It only shows those records that are only specified intricately. The Enhanced filtering and record searching feature is used for searching a huge database like that of WINS this function is the most helpful possible feature in relation every other services. Yet another example of the absolute superiority of the WINS system is its export function. “The Export command can be used to place WINS data into a comma-delimited text file that can be imported into Microsoft Excel, reporting tools, scripting applications, and so on, for analysis and reporting.” (King, 159) Lastly among numerous other superior facilities of the WINS service is the Dynamic re-registration function which could be determined as the Koh-i-Noor of this service. Here with the help of the Dynamic re-registration function re registering to NetBIOS name-to- IP address is easier than ever. This is because it can do the work simply without re booting the server in any condition. Conclusion The features of the WINS along with its configurations have helped the WINS service to attain an out and out victory margin over its competitors in the world of virtual reality and from the point of view of the real world users. The excellent inter phase of the fact that it provides the most stable and solid possible platform in the context of managing NetBIOS name-to-IP address is truly legendary. As mentioned by King in his book Information Today: A new Interface of the Changing World and Other Related Components, “an improved WINS Manager tool, including full integration with the Microsoft Management Console, provides a more user-friendly and powerful environment for viewing and managing WINS information. In addition, the searching capability speeds up database record retrieval, and filtering cuts down on the number of records that need to be displayed.” (King, 207-208) King was tactical in pin pointing the promise of the future but the future is already here with the WINS system of service. References: King, H; 2006; Information Today: A new Interface of the Changing World and Other Related Components; HBT & Brooks Ltd. Read More