Two common problems that often appear in the Q&A are browsing problems and name resolution problems on a TCP/IP network. Inevitably, someone will recommend the addition of the NetBEUI protocol as a solution. While it is true that adding NetBEUI is aquick and simple solution that resolves numerous browsing and name resolution problems, it goes against everything I’ve ever read or been taught. I often wonder if people pass this information in the Q&A simply to get a few points, or if they truly believe that it is the best solution.
I am a firm believer that the fewer protocols there are on a network, the better the network runs. I also know that the NetBEUI protocol is extremely inefficient and creates a significant amount of network traffic. If set up properly, and that is the key, a TCP/IP network should not have any browsing and name resolution problems. If a network is having such problems, I believe that the first avenue of approach should be to search for a software configuration or a hardware problem. Adding the NetBEUI protocol should be a last resort. And even then I would limit its use to only small peer-to-peer networks with Win 9x clients.
Does anyone agree or disagree with my philosophy? And along those same lines, what do you do when you see an answer posted to someone’s question that you are positive is incorrect? Do you let it go, or do you politely make the poster aware?