SMB/CIFS? NetBios Traffic Reduction?

routingbyrumor

Hi! I am looking for a way to reduce CIFS/SMB traffic and NetBios traffic on our Local Area Network. We still want functionality in terms of shares etc. Would a WINS system do the trick? Also what is CIFS/SMB traffic and how do we reduce or elimiate this?

sprkymrk

If you want to use File/Print sharing on a MS network then you can't eliminate it. Yes, a WINS server would be an easy way to reduce the amount of netbios traffic.

routingbyrumor wrote:

Also what is CIFS/SMB traffic and how do we reduce or elimiate this?

The SMB and CIFS protocols are typically used to provide access for authenticated users to file shares/print servers. There are very few circumstances where you can actually eliminate WINS/Netbios traffic on a MS network. The best thing you can do is set up a good WINS solution and check MS site for Best Practices and Optimizing WINS.

Here is a good explanation of CIFS:
http://www.microsoft.com/mind/1196/cifs.asp

routingbyrumor

Thanks for the help sprkymrk, I was looking at WINS but need confirmation that it was the right thing to do. Your explaination of CIFS was very helpful.

sprkymrk

Glad to help. A basic WINS setup is pretty easy. You really don't even need a dedicated server unless you have a very large network. You can usually have another server (like DHCP or DNS) do double duty.
Good luck!