My Network Places doesn't list a subnet computers

[guest]

> Hi all,
>
> We recently subnetted our network. Whereas before we had a 1 large Class
> B
> network, we have now implemented VLAN's and use a Class C mask. Since
> this
> change we have found that browsing "My Network Places" does not work as
> before. Our research suggests that this is because the server that is the
> master browser is NOT on the same subnet as the workstations. The
> workstations are XP PRO SP3 and have the computer browser service disabled
> by
> policy. We have 1 AD domain and use WINS\DHCP\DNS on the network. All
> the
> ADC's run on Windows Server 2003.
>
> We use a 3rd party product and they have told us that there application
> depends all computers in the domain showing up in "My Network Places".
> Deos
> anyone know how we get "My Network Places" to show all computers in the
> domain regardless of subnet?
>
> T.

The computer browser service (which produces the browse list you see in
network places) uses Netbios names and LAN broadcasts. Once you subnet the
network you lose it because the LAN broadcasts are blocked by the routers.

WINS will get around the problem if it is configured properly. It allows
the master browsers in each segment to contact the domain master browser and
build a network-wide browse list.

Make sure that all machines are registering in WINS. Also make sure that
all machines are set as WINS clients. If they use WINS to find the DMB they
should get the full browse list.

The browser service is an NT legacy app so the KBs are old. See
KB150800, 188001 and 188305.