Home > Ask the Networking Experts > Networking fundamentals with Chris Partsenidis Questions & Answers > What's the difference between DNS and WINS?
Ask The Networking Expert: Questions & Answers
EMAIL THIS

What's the difference between DNS and WINS?

Chris Partsenidis EXPERT RESPONSE FROM: Chris Partsenidis

Pose a Question
Other Networking Categories
Meet all Networking Experts
Become an Expert for this site


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


>
QUESTION POSED ON: 27 September 2006

What's the difference between DNS and WINS?


>
EXPERT RESPONSE

DNS refers to the Domain Name System -- a widely used service in networks all over the world. DNS was created to serve the Internet Network, but also our LAN (Local Area Network).

WINS, on the other hand, refers to Windows Internet Naming Service created by Microsoft and was used in the older Windows NT4 networks as the services provided by the domain, were heavily depended on it. Today, WINS servers are not that common except in specific applications and network conditions where they must exist.

Because the majority of networks use DNS these days, Windows 2000 and 2003 have migrated away from WINS and use DNS mainly.

While both services do identical jobs, that is, translate domains and hostnames into IP addresses, DNS has become the number one standard for name resolution and it surely won't change for a long time!

Hope that helps.


Digg This!    StumbleUpon Toolbar StumbleUpon    Bookmark with Delicious Del.icio.us   


RELATED CONTENT
Networking fundamentals with Chris Partsenidis
Can IP addresses of LANs that make up a WAN be the same?
Can building T3 lines using satellite be cheaper than a carriers'?
How each wireless technology differs: Wi-Fi, WiMax and WLANs
Do multiple router interfaces affect the amount of IP addresses?
How can I prevent collisions on my network?
What makes a WAN different from a LAN and MAN?
The difference between half-duplex and full-duplex
What is a logical network? How do you improve one?
How to retrieve passwords from locked laptops
What's the Ethernet packet collision rate in Windows OS?

Networking Basics
Differences between WLANs, Wi-Fi and WiMax
Why are patch panels required for cabling networks?
Can IP addresses of LANs that make up a WAN be the same?
Data leak prevention starts with trusting your users
How can I be sure no one is hijacking or hacking my WAP?
How each wireless technology differs: Wi-Fi, WiMax and WLANs
What does a subnet do?
IT career training, experience can help you shine in salary talks
TCO calculations can fall short when budgeting network expenses
What do routers use MAC addresses for?
Networking Basics Research

LANs (Local Area Networks)
During a recession, align the network with business priorities
Best practices for securing your wireless LAN
HTTP error code troubleshooting, Part 1: HTTP status codes defined
LANs vs. WLANs: Which network designs are used for each company size?
Wireless LAN tips from Iraq: Networking Joint Base Balad
How to set up a VLAN on multiple switches
College IT department transforms itself with network management tools
Accessing printers on a LAN while connected to a WLAN
What makes a WAN different from a LAN and MAN?
Losing the war to lock down networks might help enterprises innovate

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS
Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary
availability  (SearchNetworking.com)
carrier detect  (SearchNetworking.com)
fiber jumper  (SearchNetworking.com)
layer 2  (SearchNetworking.com)
MAE  (SearchNetworking.com)
Network layer  (SearchNetworking.com)
networking  (SearchNetworking.com)
OSI  (SearchNetworking.com)
patch cord  (SearchNetworking.com)
staggered quadrature phase-shift keying  (SearchNetworking.com)

RELATED RESOURCES
2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems
Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts
Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary



Search and Browse the Expert Answer Center
Search and browse more than 25,000 question and answer pairs from more than 250 TechTarget industry experts.
Browse our Expert Advice



Expert networking advice and tips for IT professionals
HomeNewsTopicsITKnowledge ExchangeTipsAsk the ExpertsMultimediaWhite PapersNetworking Product Trials
About Us  |  Contact Us  |  For Advertisers  |  For Business Partners  |  Site Index  |  RSS
SEARCH 
TechTarget provides enterprise IT professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective IT purchase decisions and managing their organizations' IT projects - with its network of technology-specific Web sites, events and magazines.

TechTarget Corporate Web Site  |  Media Kits  |  Reprints  |  Site Map




All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2008, TechTarget | Read our Privacy Policy
  TechTarget - The IT Media ROI Experts