What is the functions of WINS. And How can it be useful?

Answer 1

WINS -- Windows Internet Name Service -- is used to resolve NETBIOS machine names to IP addresses on Microsoft networks.

In the beginning, Microsoft networks used the NETBIOS or NetBEUI protocols. These protocols did not support routed networks. Since the integration of TCP/IP into Microsoft networks with Windows 9x and NT, NETBIOS over TCP/IP was implemented to support routed networks while still providing for NETBIOS name resolution.

NETBIOS name resolution only supports local subnet broadcasts for name resolution so another means of resolving machine names was needed in routed networks. WINS was implemented to provide registration of machine names and their associated IP addresses in routed networks, thereby allowing name resolution across routed networks.

With the advent of Active Directory and DNS in Windows networks, the need for WINS has generally been obviated. It is only needed for down-level clients such as Windows NT and Windows 9x clients.