Okay, I understand it a little better now.

I added the two remote domains to my "DNS suffix search list" via GPO. I
rebooted the machine and they are now part of it (as displayed in ipconfig
/all). I did not add my domain to the GPO and I can see my "DNS suffix
search list" no longer has a reference to it. I can ping my local machines
just fine (for now anyway!).

I presume I don't need to add my own domain to the "DNS suffix search list"
because it is displayed in ipconfig /all as "Primary Dns suffix" (and some
machines, not all, also display my domain in the "Connection-specific DNS
suffix" also. Some machines have no entry for Connection-specific DNS
suffix", but they all have "Primary Dns suffix" and also the GPO controlled
"DNS suffix search list".

I presume having a blank "Connection-specific DNS suffix" is not a problem?

btw I have no other GPO setting in the:
Computer Configuration
-Administrative templates
-Network
DNS Client

Thanks!

"Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]" <admin@nospam.WFTX.US> wrote in message
news:uI0lsdTrHHA.1200@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Read inline please.
>
> In news:eZxCTzRrHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl,
> Bob <86c6c2e6-2146512712@news.postalias> typed:
>> Hi Kevin,
>>
>> I think the times that pinging the computer name (NetBIOS name) works
>> for me is when the Flexible Single Master Operations Role (FSMO) DC
>> is found.
>
> No, the FSMO roles have nothing to do with NetBIOS name resolution.
>
>>
>> I don't have WINS installed. I don't think I've a DNS Suffix search
>> list created, and I haven't yet looked up what a "hosts file" is, but
>> I suspect I don't have it.
>
> By default the Primary DNS Suffix and Connection Specific DNS suffix are
> added the DNS suffix search list. (Check your ipconfig /all)
> The hosts file is a text based file located in the
> %systemroot%\system32\drivers\etc directory, it has no file extension, it
> is
> simply named hosts and can be edited to add hosts that required special
> name
> resolution
>
> That said, I typically don't use hosts files anymore because it can be an
> administration nightmare. It is much easier to add records to the DNS zone
> named in the DNS suffix search list.
> In your case, since you have more than on DNS namespace to search, i.e.
> domain1.com and domain2.com you should add both suffixes to the list,
> having
> stub zones or any other zones won't be enough. You have to add those
> domains
> to the DNS suffix search list. If you have an AD environment, as I
> suspect,
> you can do this in a group policy here:
> Default Domain Policy
> Computer Configuration
> -Administrative templates
> -Network
> DNS Client- DNS Suffix search List
>
>>
>> Anyway, could the availablity of the FSMO Domain Controller be the
>> reason why I find its NetBIOS name on occassion?
>
> No.
>
>
>
> --
> Best regards,
> Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]
> Hope This s
>
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