Browsing

Browsing allows computers to determine what resources are available on the network by asking the Workgroup or Domains Browser. The browser is responsible for periodically polling computers on the network to maintain a Browse List, or list of available resources. Without this, machines on the network will have no means to determine what resources are available. Shared resources may still be accessed by name (//NetBIOSName/sharename).

There are multiple types of browsers you can have:

• Local Master Browser
  A local master browser is the machine responsible for maintaining the browse list for it's subnet. A subnet may have multiple candidates to be a Local Master Browser, with one chosen in an Election (discussed later). Samba can act as a Local Browser. There may also be backup local master browsers, which samba cannot function as.
• Domain Master Browser
  A machine that is responsible for maintaining browse lists for all subnets in the domain. It does this by polling local master browsers for each subnet periodically, and collecting that information in a master browse list. The Domain Master Browser may also be (and preferably is) the local master browser for it's subnet. With an NT Server, the Domain Master Browser must be the Primary Domain Controller. Samba can seperate these roles, however it is not recommended.
• Preferred Master Browser
  A machine that should become a local master browser. In an election, the Preferred Master Browser will have an advantage over other candidates to become the local master browser.