Windows 10: Master Browser Observation

To start, this is an observation, not a recommendation.

Once upon a time my home LAN was 100% XP and it performed flawlessly. Times change and now I have only 3 Windows 10 machines on the LAN and, like others, I've experienced LAN problems following Windows 10 upgrades.

About two months ago, I reconnected one of the XP machines to the LAN (a vulnerability, to be sure). This machine is used as a dedicated data-logger and operates 24-7. Somewhat to my surprise, the Windows 10 machines elected the XP machine to serve as Master Browser. As XP is not supported, this machine is never updated - nothing ever changes in the OS.

Since then, the LAN has not been affected by MS upgrades to the Windows 10 machines.

Again, this is just an observation on the workings of the Master Browser. I do not recommend connecting an unsupported XP machine to your LAN.

:)

 

Master Browser Observation

To start, this is an observation, not a recommendation.

Once upon a time my home LAN was 100% XP and it performed flawlessly. Times change and now I have only 3 Windows 10 machines on the LAN and, like others, I've experienced LAN problems following Windows 10 upgrades.

About two months ago, I reconnected one of the XP machines to the LAN (a vulnerability, to be sure). This machine is used as a dedicated data-logger and operates 24-7. Somewhat to my surprise, the Windows 10 machines elected the XP machine to serve as Master Browser. As XP is not supported, this machine is never updated - nothing ever changes in the OS.

Since then, the LAN has not been affected by MS upgrades to the Windows 10 machines.

Again, this is just an observation on the workings of the Master Browser. I do not recommend connecting an unsupported XP machine to your LAN.

 

Master Browser question

I'm experiencing similar problems on my main computer. Using NetBScanner.exe I see the Master Browser on another computer but never see my own computer show up in the Master Browser list by ID or MAC address. It's almost as if it is hidden from my router and network. I'm not sure where or how to troubleshoot this sort of issue. Any suggestions? Tired, Retired but Retreaded ready to use my head (GRIN).

 

Master Browser Timing

The more time I spend on the Board, the more I believe that a number of recurring discovery problems may be just the unhappy side effects of the proper operation of a Master Browser in a Workgroup.

So, do I have this right?

1. All the computers in a Workgroup pass information among themselves to determine which computer will serve as the Master Browser. This election process takes very little time.

2. The Master Browser accumulates and maintains a "browse list" of all computers (and other IP devices) in the Workgroup.

3. Every device in the browse list reports back the Master Browser at 12 minute intervals.

4. If a given computer (e.g. Brutus) is switched off and does not report back for three consecutive intervals (36 minutes), Brutus is removed from the browse list.

5. The Master Browser sends the refreshed browse list to all Workgroup computers every 15 minutes.

6. Therefore, it could take up to 51 minutes for other Workgroup computers to be notified that Brutus has left the Workgroup. In the meantime, the other Workgroup computers report to their respective users that Brutus is still connected. However, their users will not be able to access Brutus and may suspect an error of some sort.

7. When Brutus is again switched on, Brutus reports to the Master Browser immediately but it can take up to 15 minutes for the Master Browser to notify the Workgroup the Brutus has rejoined.

Again, is this reasonably correct?