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<DIV>So the dragon you slew (knocked out) was the WINS dragon. I thought
that perhaps you had meant Linux. To my previous post about protocol
knowledge facilitating server configuration, I don't know much about WINS.
I guess I have some stuff about it in a box somewhere. But it's not an
RFC. If I had to learn more, where would I start?<SPAN
class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080>I would start at <A
href="http://www.samba.org">www.samba.org</A>. They have some great
fundamental information. WINS (Windows Internet Name Service) is
Microsoft's implementation of a service more formally known as NBNS (NetBIOS
Name Service). Essentially, WINS is to NetBIOS names (ex: rochester)
what DNS is to domain names (ex: rochester.thegeek.nu). Check out RFCs
1001 and 1002</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>(In fact, I'm in the same boat with PPTP. I'd like to understand my
laptop's vulnerability when connected - sans firewall - to my DSL
modem. <SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080>Same as any other machine connected directly to the cloud.
High vulnerability. The next question is visibility. Are you a
viable target?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>Does it change when I use PPTP?<SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT
face="Bookman Old Style" color=#000080> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080>Only to the extent that the PPTP connection becomes
your router. Therefore, only those with access to it may
hack at thee.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>Does PPTP prevent my computer from reacting to stuff that comes outside the
tunnel?<SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080>Yes, unless you manually manipulate your routing
tables. More precisely, your computer will accept input from anywhere that
has access to you, but will only be able to respond through it's default
gateway, which is currently the PPTP connection.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV>Where would I look for details?) <SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT
face="Bookman Old Style" color=#000080> </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080><A href="http://www.altavista.com">www.altavista.com</A>, of
course.</FONT> <FONT face="Bookman Old Style" color=#000080>
:-)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<P>True, true, I have more Linux experience than NT admin experience, so
certainly I know where to find Linux info better. But the several times
I've looked for NT info have been much more frustrating than looking for Linux
info. Maybe I need to subscribe to MSDN or whatever NT gurus use to find
their info. (Are there any NT gurus? I've yet to meet one.)<SPAN
class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080> </FONT></SPAN>
<P><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080>Lots. I might even be one...</FONT></SPAN>
<P><SPAN class=629530316-30052001><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"
color=#000080>This is how I say it: I work with Windows, and I
know Windows well. But I love Linux.</FONT></SPAN></P></BODY></HTML>