WINS or DNS resolved machine name?

[touchstone_81]

Hi i came across this question recently and since it was interesting wanted to make sure i had the right answer.

The scenario:

I have a AD domain, DNS and WINS servers setup.

i go to the command prompt on a windows 2000 machine and type

ping "server1"

Based on the above scenario the question is as follows:

How do i know which service has resolved the name WINS or DNS?

Now from what i know the name resolution process is follows:

The machine will check

1. Local cache.

2. HOSTS file

3. It will then use the dns Suffix configured & query DNS

5. WINS

6. Broadcast

7. LMHOSTS

based on this it seems as long as the DNS server is working DNS is always resolving the name.

and if instead of the win2k machine i type the ping command on a WIN 98 client then would it be right to assume that WINS always resolve's the name due to fact that Legacy machines use NetBIOS ?

would appreciate any info on this topic

[FAT64]

Active Directory relies on DNS and will always try to use DNS first. Personally, I would avoid WINS like the plague. Upgrade any 98 machines to 2000.

Edited March 22, 2008 by FAT64

[touchstone_81]

Although none of our clients are running legacy systems at the moment, i think working with them at some point will be inevitable; just wanted to get the doubt cleared.