Master Browser Observation

To start, this is an observation, not a recommendation.

Once upon a time my home LAN was 100% XP and it performed flawlessly. Times change and now I have only 3 Windows 10 machines on the LAN and, like others, I've experienced LAN problems following Windows 10 upgrades.

About two months ago, I reconnected one of the XP machines to the LAN (a vulnerability, to be sure). This machine is used as a dedicated data-logger and operates 24-7. Somewhat to my surprise, the Windows 10 machines elected the XP machine to serve as Master Browser. As XP is not supported, this machine is never updated - nothing ever changes in the OS.

Since then, the LAN has not been affected by MS upgrades to the Windows 10 machines.

Again, this is just an observation on the workings of the Master Browser. I do not recommend connecting an unsupported XP machine to your LAN.

JackHughs

Normally it's based on important so server is higher than workstation and DC is the highest

Plankton said:

Wow....so what Xp system do you have? Is this an OEM or custom build?

This XP machine an ancient P4 IBM Thinkcenter desktop. I bought this off-lease in 2006? for the princely sum of $115.00.

These suckers were built to last!

JackHughs

Plankton said:

I've been wanting to put to use my old Xp system to use.....I just may use it in my garage for when someone needs to look up something outside.

Please don't. There are a number of very good reasons not to connect an XP machine to your Internet-connected LAN and my post was not intended to encourage people to do so.

JackHughs