Maintaining the WINS Database

Although WINS installation and initial configuration is quite simple, there are several important tasks that need to be done to keep WINS functioning properly. These maintenance tasks involve ensuring that records are current and accurate.

Scavenging

In a multi-server WINS environment, records referencing released and removed clients that were originally registered at other WINS Servers accumulate in the database of each WINS Server. The process of removing these records is called scavenging. At regular intervals, every month or so, the database should be scavenged to remove information that is not current. Scavenging will happen automatically according to the interval set in the Server Properties. To scavenge the WINS database manually, choose Scavenge from the Action menu.