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For NetBIOS name resolution, a WINS client typically performs the following general sequence of steps to resolve a name:
Client checks to see if the name queried is its local NetBIOS computer name, which it owns.
Client checks its local NetBIOS name cache of remote names. Any name resolved for a remote client is placed in this cache where it remains for 10 minutes.
Client forwards the NetBIOS query to its configured primary WINS server. If the primary WINS server fails to answer the query--either because it is not available or because it does not have an entry for the name--the client will try to contact other configured WINS servers in the order they are listed and configured for its use.
Client broadcasts the NetBIOS query to the local subnet.
Client checks the Lmhosts file for a match to the query, if it is configured to use the Lmhosts file.
Client tries the Hosts file and then a DNS server, if it is configured for one.
