A Windows machine's NetBIOS name is not to be confused with the computer's host name. Each computer running TCP/IP (whether it's a Windows machine or not) has a host name (also sometimes called a machine name). You can view/change it on the DNS tab in Control Panel -> Network -> TCP/IP -> Properties Host names are used by applications such as telnet, ftp, web browsers, etc. In order to connect to a computer running the TCP/IP protocol using its HOST name, the host name must be resolved into an IP Address (the host name or FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name)-IP address resolution is typically done by something called DNS - Domain Name System/Service). Changing a computer's Host name DOES NOT change its NetBIOS name.

 

Note

If a local PC does not have a network adapter and uses a dial-up connection for registration then the hostname could change between 'localhost' and the hostname used for the dial-up connection. The only solution for this scenario is to use the NetBIOS computer name.

 

Pros/Cons

+ Works in single user and network environment

+ Good within a network because the hostname must be unique

- After reinstallation of Windows, the hostname changes

- See considerations above with dial-up connections

- Allows several installations on the same machine.

 

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