The original networking protocol for DOS and Windows PCs. NetBIOS packets did not contain a network address and were not easily routable between networks. As a result, the interface to NetBIOS and the transport part of NetBIOS were later separated so that NetBIOS applications could use routable protocols such as TCP/IP and SPX/IPX. The programming interface (API) retained the NetBIOS name, while the transport protocol was renamed NetBEUI (pronounced "net-boo-ee").
Name Resolution
Today, NetBIOS is used to support legacy NetBIOS applications but is also widely used for NetBIOS name resolution. Since NetBIOS was the first major standard for PC networks, computers were named according to the NetBIOS format, which identifies a machine by a unique 15-character name. NetBIOS machines periodically broadcast their names over the network so that Network Neighborhood or My Network Places can catalog them.
Datagram and Session Modes
NetBIOS is generally defined as a session layer protocol in the protocol stack, supporting two modes: a fast Datagram mode that does not guarantee delivery and a Session mode that establishes a connection and guarantees delivery. See NBT, WINS and LMHOSTS file.
Name Resolution
Today, NetBIOS is used to support legacy NetBIOS applications but is also widely used for NetBIOS name resolution. Since NetBIOS was the first major standard for PC networks, computers were named according to the NetBIOS format, which identifies a machine by a unique 15-character name. NetBIOS machines periodically broadcast their names over the network so that Network Neighborhood or My Network Places can catalog them.
Datagram and Session Modes
NetBIOS is generally defined as a session layer protocol in the protocol stack, supporting two modes: a fast Datagram mode that does not guarantee delivery and a Session mode that establishes a connection and guarantees delivery. See NBT, WINS and LMHOSTS file.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- SoftPerfect Network Scanner 4.4.1 (Windows)
- A free multi-threaded IP and NetBIOS scanner with a modern interface and several advanced features. It is intended for both system administrators and users who are interested in computer security. The program pings computers, scans for listening TCP ports and shows what types of resources are shared on a network...
- Software downloads 2009-11-15
- Find MAC Address 2.1.1 (Windows)
- Find MAC Address is a program that can find the MAC addresses of computers on the network. With Find MAC Address, you can search out the MAC address of your own or a remote computer or any computer within the specified range of IP addresses. Unlike similar software, Find MAC...
- Software downloads 2009-10-03
- Windows SMB2 exploit now public; Expect in-the-wild attacks soon
- Another "researcher" makes a name for himself.So, just why was it necessary for for this Bozo to actually "create and release the code" for the exploit? Let me guess. His company makes money by hyping up the level of fear. See their web page where they say...
- Discussion threads 2009-09-29
- IP Sniffer 1.98 (Windows)
- IP Sniffer is a suite of IP Tools built around a packet sniffer. The packet sniffer can work on all Windows versions using either: the new raw socket implementation of Windows2000 driverless, WinPcap needs to be installed, a NDIS protocol (needs to be installed , no reboot). IP sniffer is...
- Software downloads 2009-09-14
- DEKSI Network Monitor 8.2 (Windows)
- DEKSI Network Monitor is an advanced, powerful, and multi-featured network device monitor which enables you to learn when a device is available as well as the time it became unavailable or out of service. This will enable the network administrator or IT Management staff to be pro-active in responding to...
- Software downloads 2009-09-02
- SoftPerfect Network Scanner 4.3 (Windows)
- A free multi-threaded IP and NetBIOS scanner with a modern interface and several advanced features. It is intended for both system administrators and users who are interested in computer security. The program pings computers, scans for listening TCP ports and shows what types of resources are shared on a network...
- Software downloads 2009-08-09
- Sharity 3.7 (Mac)
- Sharity mounts shares exported by Windows, Samba and other SMB/CIFS servers in the file system of Unix computers. Sharity implements Resource Browsing similar to the Windows Network Neighborhood Netbios Workgroups and Active Directory, NTLM, NTLMv2 and Kerberos authentication, Microsoft's Distributed File System DFS, manipulation of Access Control Lists ACLs and...
- Software downloads 2009-04-06
- Prominent Pro PC Scan 1.0.8 (Windows)
- Prominent Pro Scan is a free multi-threaded IP, NetBIOS and SNMP scanner with a modern interface and several advanced features. It is intended for both system administrators and general users who are interested in computer security. The program pings computers, scans for listening TCP ports and displays which types of...
- Software downloads 2009-03-30
- Is Linux only for the poor?
- Is Linux only for the poor?Cost could be a reason to switch to Linux.But it wouldn't necessarily be the right one. If a district switched to Linux and Open Source in times of tight budgets would they switch back in times of plenty? Just because Linux is free...
- Discussion threads 2009-03-22
- Microsoft
- MicrosoftDamned if you do...Damned if you don't ntWow. Vista is too secure and in-your-face. So Microsoft changes UAC in response to the mountain of user feedback so you can tweak it in Windows 7 and now it's not secure enough.Mind boggling stupidity when it comes to 'default' settingsevery version of...
- Discussion threads 2009-02-04
- CHScanner 0.9.7 build 4 (Windows)
- CHScanner is an ARP, IPv4 and IPv6 network scanner with 31 scan methods: it scans for open ports, protocols, NetBIOS information, SNMP information, and WMI WBEM information. It also have the ability to turn on (using Wake-On-LAN) and to shutdown or reboot a remote Windows host. Features an automatic scriptable...
- Software downloads 2009-01-25
- MS Patch Tuesday: 3 critical SMB vulnerabilities
- MS Patch Tuesday: 3 critical SMB vulnerabilitiesHard to find decent help these days[i]Microsoft today shipped a solitary bulletin with patches for at least three documented security flaws in the Microsoft Server Message Block SMB Protocol.[/i]Except it's not in the protocol but in Microsoft's code that implements the protocol. SAMBA,...
- Discussion threads 2009-01-13
- MS Patch Tuesday: 3 critical SMB vulnerabilities
- Microsoft today shipped a solitary bulletin with patches for at least three documented security flaws in the Microsoft Server Message Block SMB Protocol. The three vulnerabilities, rated "critical" on Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, exposes Windows users to remote code execution attacks, Microsoft said...
- Blog posts 2009-01-13
- X-NetStat Professional 5.54 (Windows)
- X-NetStat Professional displays information on your current Internet and network connections in a graphical interface. These connections are established each time you visit a web page, send an instant message, check your email, or anytime you do network activity that requires you to connect to another computer. They also appear...
- Software downloads 2008-12-13
- Free IP Scanner 1.6 (Windows)
- Free IP scanner is a very fast IP scanner and port scanner. It is intended for both system administrators and general users to monitor and manage their networks. Powered with multi-thread scan technology, this program can scan hundreds computers per second. It simply pings each IP address to check if...
- Software downloads 2008-11-24
- OS earns highest-ever gov't security rating. Does that make it "most secure?"
- OS earns highest-ever gov't security rating. Does that make it "most secure?"Does it matter?>>It was child's play to get into US military systems, McKinnon said. Many were running Netbios over TCP/IP with blank or default passwords, which allowed him to access-administrator privileges. http://tinyurl.com/62c24xNo OS can stop the stupidity of those...
- Discussion threads 2008-11-18
- iPhone vs. Android development: Day 1
- iPhone vs. Android development: Day 1Development environment requirementsDoes Apple give you the freedom to choose the OS you use to develop for the iPhone? Are you forced to use this Xcode application you wrote about or can you choose your favorite code editor?Does Google give you the freedom to choose...
- Discussion threads 2008-11-17
- NetScanTools Pro 10.71 (Windows)
- NetScanTools? Standard Edition is a collection of common and specialized internet utilities. Many of NetScanTools functions, such as Ping, Traceroute, and NSLOOKUP are very familiar to network professionals. The advantage they have over their command line counterparts is in the presentation and integration. All of the functions are grouped together...
- Software downloads 2008-11-17
- Free IP Scanner 1.5 (Windows)
- Free IP scanner is a very fast IP scanner and port scanner. It is intended for both system administrators and general users to monitor and manage their networks. Powered with multi-thread scan technology, this program can scan hundreds computers per second. It simply pings each IP address to check if...
- Software downloads 2008-10-07
- PacketTrap gives enterprise "Perspective"
- Computers are strange beings. Sometimes they stop working for no apparent reason, sometimes they work so well they don't need to shutdown or stop processing, and some literally blow up in your face. Dealing with one computer can be troublesome enough, but how do those like enterprise managers, IT and...
- Blog posts 2008-09-16
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