## Windows NT Networking

UNIX system administrators will see familiar files in the Windows NT root directory (System32\Drivers\Etc), including the Hosts, Networks, Services, and Protocol files. The Lmhosts file is unique to the Microsoft Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) implementation. The terms are defined as follows:

The Hosts file serves the same purpose as on UNIX, mapping TCP/IP hostnames to IP addresses, and vice versa.

The Networks file names entire networks and makes the output of routing tables easier to understand.

The Services file maps network service names to protocol and port number pairs. This file lists ports 137 through 139 that are used by Microsoft networks for NetBIOS name service, file and printer sharing, and security transactions.

The Protocol file maps Internet Protocol (IP) numbers to protocol names (this is usually called "Protocols" on UNIX).

The Lmhosts file functions similar to the Hosts file as a static file that has to be hand-edited on each computer. Computers running Windows NT have a NetBIOS computer name and a TCP/IP hostname that may or may not be identical. The Lmhosts file maps NetBIOS computer names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses in the same way that the Hosts file maps TCP/IP names to IP addresses. The Windows NT WINS service provides a name service for NetBIOS names that function similar to Domain Name System (DNS) for TCIP/IP names.

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Last Updated: December 1, 1997