[svlug] Configure Linux resolver to query WINS server for hostname => IP translation

[Karsten M. Self]

I've got a Debian GNU/Linux box on a legacy MS Windows network.  The net
itself is managed by a router / DHCP server, which provides name
resolution via WINS.  The legacy MS Windows systems are assigned
arbitrary IPs via DHCP.  They're assigned semantic hostnames (e.g.:
system1, system2, ...).  All of this can be changed, if desired, but....

What I'd like to know is if there's a way to configure the GNU/Linux
resolver to query WINS in addition to (and prior to) DNS, for local
hosts.  It would seem that this is possible, but I'm not finding it.


I *have* found much documentation on configuring Samba to use (or be) a
WINS server.  That's not my question, and is inappropriate in this case.


I've _also_ had a number of tantalizing suggestions to use winbind, but
am coming up short on docs.  The winbind documentation set in particular
on Debian are minimal.


I'm _hoping_ this is something as simple as a line in /etc/resolv.conf,
but suspect it's not quite that trivial.



Long term, I'm inclined to:

  - Move DHCP service from the router to a GNU/Linux box, and hardwire
    the leases to specific MACs (there are a fixed set of known clients
    on the subnet).

  - Provide DNS services for the local net from a GNU/Linux box.
    Killing two stoned birds at once.

  - Set up same GNU/Linux box as a Samba PDC.


Peace.

-- 
Karsten M. Self <kmself at ix.netcom.com>        http://kmself.home.netcom.com/
 What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand?
    Save Bob Edwards!  http://www.savebobedwards.com/
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