Alternative netbios name in server 2008

Question

In both server 2k and 2k3 it has been possible to create an alternative network name or alias for the server by adding a string named Alias to HKLM\system\currentcontrolset\services\lanmanserver\parameters\optionalnames 

In server 2008, the above does not work although there is a new key of 'Aliases' under Lanmanserver. Does anyone know what string name I need to use in order to create the alias on server 2k8?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

As far as I know, Registry Key optionalnames still works on Windows Server 2008.

Actually, if you run "netdom computername PCNAME /add" command, it will add alias to optionalnames Key.

You may have to create the following too.

1.    Locate and click the following key in the registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
2.    On the Edit menu, click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:
Value name: DisableStrictNameChecking
Data type: REG_DWORD
Radix: Decimal
Value: 1

If there is any error, please let us know the detailed error message/symptom.

Thanks.

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Answer 2

Hi Mervyn,

Thanks for your advice. I'm not sure this is doing the job. The optionalnames (or the strings within) don't work, it is ignored by Lanmanserver on startup of the server service and is logged in the event viewer as such.

Running "netdom computername currentname /Add: secondname.domain.com" adds a second DNS entry, but does nothing for Netbios. Infact the syntax of the command states "new-alternate-dns-name"

I can achieve alternate DNS names using cnames in DNS, it's the alternate Netbios name that I am looking to get.

I think its likely that an entry is required in the key HKLM\system\currentcontrolset\service\lanmanserver\Aliases
This key seems new to server 2008 and I am unsure of the syntax of any strings within, so far all of the obvious have been ignored.

Any other ideas?

Thanks Ross

Answer 3

Hi Ross,

What’s the detailed error message you get in Event Viewer? Please also let us know how did you verify the "optionalnames" didn’t work. I would like to reproduce this issue in my test environment.

Please help to collect the following information for research.

The MPS Reporting Tool is utilized to gather detailed information regarding a systems current configuration. The data collected will assist you with fault isolation.

A . Please download MPS Reporting Tool (MPSRPT_PFE.EXE) from the following link:
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=00ad0eac-720f-4441-9ef6-ea9f657b5c2f&DisplayLang=en)

Please note: The link may be truncated when you read the E-mail. Be sure to include all text between '(' and ')' when navigating to the download location.

B . Right click MPSRPT_PFE.EXE and select Run as Administrator to run this tool, and you will see a Command Window start up.

C . Please type Y with the message of <Include the MSINFO32 report? (defaults to Y in 15 seconds)[Y,N]?

D . When the tool is done you will see an Explorer Window opening up the %systemroot%\MPSReports\Setup\Reports\cab folder and containing a <Computername>MPSReports.cab file. After collecting, please use Windows Live SkyDrive (http://www.skydrive.live.com/) to upload the file and then give me the download address.

Thanks.

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This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Answer 4

Hi Mervyn,

After a further look at this, a multi_sz string under parameters with the name OptionalNames works with no key additions. 
On server 2003, OptionalNames was a key with an Alias string within, this doesn't seem to do anything on Server 2008.

The server is now broadcasting it's second name using Netbios after adding this string.

Thanks for your help on this one.