NetBIOS Naming Conventions and Procedures
NetBIOS names are usually associated with network components and services
relating to PCs running some kind of Microsoft network-enabled operating
system. Examples include:
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MS-NET
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MS LAN Manager
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MS Windows for Workgroups
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MS Windows 95 with the "Client for Microsoft Networks" service installed
The most familiar NetBIOS network entities that require names are
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Workgroups (or NT Domain),
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Computer Names,
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NetBIOS file shares, and
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NetBIOS print shares.
Note that a NetBIOS share is typically defined as a resource on
a computer in a workgroup or NT domain.  This
means that when you use a Windows browsing feature, like Windows Explorer,
you will find a NetBIOS share listed as an entity under a computer name,
which itself is under a workgroup or NT domain, as is shown in the figure
to the right.
Workgroup and Computer Names
NetBIOS workgroup names within the ACU campus-wide network are defined
in the form
where User_Community is a descriptive alphanumeric string
that identifies an ACU academic or administrative office, department, or
division. There are no such restrictions on computer names.
The string of characters used for either of these two types of names
must be at least three (3) and no more than fifteen (15)
characters in length. Valid characters include:
-
any of the 26 alphabetic characters (A-Z),
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any of the 10 numerals (0-9),
-
and these special characters: # $ - _ !
**NOTE!!** Refrain from using any spaces in your workgroup or computer
names. Spaces are known to cause problems with browsing and workgroup functions
on some versions of Windows.
File and Print Share Names
NetBIOS file and print share names must be at least three (3)
and no more than twelve (12) characters in length. Valid characters
include:
-
any of the 26 alphabetic characters (A-Z),
-
any of the 10 numerals (0-9),
-
and these special characters: # $ - _ !
**NOTE!!** Refrain from using any spaces in your share names. Spaces
are known to cause problems with browsing and workgroup functions on some
versions of Windows.
The dollar sign ($) character has a special meaning when used as the
last character in the name: the share becomes a hidden share and will not
appear on the network while browsing for NetBIOS names. You can use this
as a "poor man's security" mechanism to limit connections to certain file
servers or printers in your department.
You do not need to register a sharename because each share is made unique
by being tied to the hosting computer. For example, if I have two Windows
95 computers named FRED and WILMA, then I can have a printer on each computer
both named DINO and there will be no conflict. Using Universal Naming Convention
(UNC) format, the printers are defined on the network as
Choosing a printer name
Windows 2000 supports the use of long printer names. This allows you to create printer names that contain spaces and
special characters. However, if you share a printer over a network, some clients will not recognize or correctly handle the long
names, and users may experience problems printing. Also, some programs cannot print to printers with names longer than 32
characters.
For printers that are shared, the entire qualified name (including the server name, \\PRINTER2\PSCRIPT, for example) must
be less than 32 characters.
If you share a printer with a variety of clients on a network, use 31 or fewer characters for printer names, and do not
include spaces or special characters in these names.
If you share a printer with MS-DOS computers, do not use more than eight characters for the printer's share name.
You can lengthen the name by adding a period followed by no more than three characters, but you cannot use spaces
in the name.
Several Windows version 3.x programs cannot print to a printer if its name contains more than the specified number of
characters, and will generate a general protection fault error message if printing is attempted. Other programs may not print to
any printer, even printers with short names, if the default printer's name is too long. To resolve these problems, rename the
printers used by these programs with shorter names and make one of the renamed printers the default printer.
For information about adding or sharing a printer, see Related Topics.
Share your printer
If you wish to get more information, please email us at
or call us at (714) 228-5444
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