[Samba] Home Lan computer browser(s)

Reading this list makes me think my questions are child's play for ya'll.

*/1) //Should I have more than one "computer browser" on my lan /*/(~16
machines)/*/?/*

I'd read someplace that I should have 1 primary and 1 backup computer
browser for up to 32 computers and then another backup browser for each
additional 32 computers. IF this is true then I'd still like to know
how to do this now that I only have 1 winXP machine that I can muck
about with but two samba candidates available. I would assume at this
point that I'd have to set the winXP machine to NOT be a 'browser'. I'd
then need to use the below parms on the two samba machines, with some
different settings to have them perform this function.

os level = nnn (0 to 255)
preferred master = yes/no
domain master = yes/no
local master = yes/no

My problem is I'm not sure how the settings should vary from "primary"
to "backup". To have one of the samba machines be primary (let's say
the machine I'm calling C20) would these parms work:

/*2) If so, can you help me with these settings? */

C20... the primary computer browser?

os level = 36
preferred master = yes
domain master = yes
local master = yes

Then on C19... the backup computer browser?

os level = 35
preferred master = ??
domain master = ??
local master = ??

I think this would make C20 "win an election" but would this make them
both win an "election" over the winXP machine should one come on-line
with computer browser set on? Are there better settings and / or are
some of these not needed for my little world?

Thanx, Skip

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Skip Guenter wrote:
> <snip>
> */1) //Should I have more than one "computer browser" on my lan
> /*/(~16 machines)/*/?/*
>
> I'd read someplace that I should have 1 primary and 1 backup computer
> browser for up to 32 computers and then another backup browser for
> each additional 32 computers.
> <snip>
Do you know where you heard this? I've never heard of it and it seems
wrong. As I understand it there is only the master browser role there is
no concept of a "backup", in the event that the master goes down there
is a new election and a new master is chosen. In any case 32 users is
ridiculous there are people out there supporting thousands of users, I
can guarantee they don't have one server per 32 users.

> os level = nnn (0 to 255)
> preferred master = yes/no
> domain master = yes/no
> local master = yes/no
>
All of these are fairly well explained in the man page.

OS level should be higher for the more reliable/important machine *IF*
you have a reason to change it, the defaults will be fine for 99% of cases.

Preferred master use this if it is important that one machine is the
master (i.e. if you have a domain) don't set it on more than one machine.

Domain master is only needed if your network spreads across multiple
subnets. You should only have one per workgroup/domain.

Local master this is only really needed if you have a machine that you
definitely don't want to be in charge of anything, otherwise the default
of yes is fine.

> <snip>

*Michael Heydon - IT Administrator *
michaelh@jaswin.com.au <mailto:michaelh@jaswin.com.au>
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Skip Guenter wrote:
> Reading this list makes me think my questions are child's play for ya'll.
>
> */1) //Should I have more than one "computer browser" on my lan /*/(~16
> machines)/*/?/*
>

You are thinking about the computer that will hold the "master browse list"
for netbios name resolution. The answer to your question - NO, there is no
need. One of the samba servers on your lan will win the browse election and
become the master browser. Each other machine will hold a copy of the browse
list. If the master dies, then the normal election rules apply and another box
will become the master. The master can serve thousands of clients. (hundreds at
least) There is no need for a backup. Netbios name resolution has nothing to do
with a Primary Domain Controller (PDC) or Backup Domain Controller (BDC).

> os level = nnn (0 to 255)
> preferred master = yes/no
> domain master = yes/no
> local master = yes/no

For the box that is the samba server, presumably the one that is always on,
Just set the os level higher than that of the other boxes. Browse election
rules are discussed at:

http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba2/book/ch07.html Setting os level greater
than 32 will insure that your samba box will win the election over all Win boxes.

>
> My problem is I'm not sure how the settings should vary from "primary"
> to "backup". To have one of the samba machines be primary (let's say
> the machine I'm calling C20) would these parms work:
>
> /*2) If so, can you help me with these settings? */
>
> C20... the primary computer browser?
>
> os level = 36
> preferred master = yes
> domain master = yes
> local master = yes
>
> Then on C19... the backup computer browser?
>
> os level = 35
> preferred master = ??
> domain master = ??
> local master = ??
>
> I think this would make C20 "win an election" but would this make them
> both win an "election" over the winXP machine should one come on-line
> with computer browser set on? Are there better settings and / or are
> some of these not needed for my little world?
>
> Thanx, Skip
>

Weedhopper, just read http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba2/book/ch07.html and
all will become clear ;-)

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David C. Rankin, J.D., P.E.
Rankin Law Firm, PLLC
510 Ochiltree Street
Nacogdoches, Texas 75961
Telephone: (936) 715-9333
Facsimile: (936) 715-9339
www.rankinlawfirm.com
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>
> For the box that is the samba server, presumably the one that is
> always on, Just set the os level higher than that of the other boxes. Browse
> election rules are discussed at:
>
> http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba2/book/ch07.html Setting os level
> greater than 32 will insure that your samba box will win the election over
> all Win boxes.

As O'Reilly notes on their site, that book is out of date. Do not use
that book, get one of the newer books, unless you aren't running any
version of windows newer than Win98 Second Edition.

As I understand it, samba by default announces itself as an NT4.9
server on the network. Windows XP announces itself as NT5.2 or
greater. Therefore, setting OS level will not matter if there is a
Windows XP machine with file & print sharing turned on, because 5.2.0
is greater than 4.9.255.

Hopefully somebody will correct me if I'm wrong; I haven't actually
examined the source code. But I think you have to set "announce
version = 5.9" if you really want to always win browser elections.

> Weedhopper, just read http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/samba2/book/ch07.html
> and all will become clear ;-)

No, David, look here: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596002565/

The book you are recommending (which was excellent in its time) has
been superseded.

--Charlie
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On Thursday 12 June 2008, Charlie wrote:
> As I understand it, samba by default announces itself as an NT4.9
> server on the network.

Yes, according to man smb.conf.

> Hopefully somebody will correct me if I'm wrong; I haven't actually
> examined the source code. *But I think you have to set "announce
> version = 5.9" if you really want to always win browser elections.

The man page also indicates not to change the default of 4.9 except for
a special case to appear downlevel (not uplevel). I'm not sure your
assumption is correct and look for clarification as well.

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Chris
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On Thursday 12 June 2008 13:49:48 Chris Smith wrote:
> On Thursday 12 June 2008, Charlie wrote:
> > As I understand it, samba by default announces itself as an NT4.9
> > server on the network.
>
> Yes, according to man smb.conf.
>
> > Hopefully somebody will correct me if I'm wrong; I haven't actually
> > examined the source code. *But I think you have to set "announce
> > version = 5.9" if you really want to always win browser elections.
>
> The man page also indicates not to change the default of 4.9 except for
> a special case to appear downlevel (not uplevel). I'm not sure your
> assumption is correct and look for clarification as well.

I believe Charlie is correct. The best way to find out what the default value
is can be done by executing:

testparm -sv | grep "announce version"

you will get the following output:

announce version = 4.9

I have been slack in not updating the man page and the default value. What
has held me back from changing it is where you have NT4 PDC or BDC configs it
should not be changed. I have seen an NT4 network where setting this to 5.0
or higher caused some network admin tools to break. Since there are not many
NT4 domains left it may make sense to bump this value up a notch.

Some time soon we should increase the default value to something between 5.0
and 5.9.

I would like to hear feedback from anyone who is willing to experiment with
this value and would like to know if there are any negative consequnces to
setting it to a higher value.

- John T.
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