What is WINS?

WINS is a service run on Windows NT servers to provide Windows clients a way to find other Windows computers. WINS (Windows Internet Naming Service) resolves Windows network computer names (also known as NetBIOS names) to Internet IP addresses, allowing Windows computers on a network to easily find and communicate with each other.

Using a WINS server is essential for any Windows client computer to work with other Windows computers over the Internet. In addition, using a WINS server is essential for any Windows client computer at Indiana University that intends to use Microsoft network resources. To use WINS services, you must insert into your TCP/IP networking configuration the IP address of the WINS servers you wish to use.

At IUB, the WINS servers are:

At IUPUI, the WINS servers are:

Also see:

• What is DNS?
• At IU, using Windows, how can I access shared resources on other Windows computers?
• What is UNC?
• At IUB or IUPUI, what information will I need to configure my Internet software?