Hi, We have several servers with very long Computer Name like sqlserver2-it-sa-conso.com, so the NetBIOS name should be sqlserver2-it-s (the prior 15 characters of computer name). I can ping both computer name and NetBIOS name in some servers, but can only ping computer name in some other servers. I am curious why I cannot ping NetBIOS as well? What is required to do if we need to access the server via NetBIOS? Thanks in advance.Alex Feng | SQL Server DBA, ALIYUN.COM My Blog | MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.

Well the first thing to check is that they actually have Netbios over TCP/IP enabled! The next thing is, are they in the same IP subnet? Routers usually block LAN broadcasts, and Netbios naming relies on that. In a routed network you need WINS (and at least one DC) to browse across a routed network. Netbios name resolution is an NT legacy system and relies on LAN broadcasts. Bill

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/323388 this link may help youDarshana Jayathilake

Well the first thing to check is that they actually have Netbios over TCP/IP enabled! The next thing is, are they in the same IP subnet? Routers usually block LAN broadcasts, and Netbios naming relies on that. In a routed network you need WINS (and at least one DC) to browse across a routed network. Netbios name resolution is an NT legacy system and relies on LAN broadcasts. Bill

Hi Bill, NetBIOS over TCP/IP is not enabled, and these two servers are not in the same subnet. We try to not use NetBIOS and use ComputerName/IP Address instead since NetBIOS name resolution is an NT legacy functionality. Thanks very much for your support.Alex Feng | SQL Server DBA, ALIYUN.COM My Blog | MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help and unmark them if they provide no help.