Hi all,A problem I have seen in multiple networks is Windows 7's ability to see other computers in Network (Network Neighborhood). They can't even see the ReadyNAS's.On the network in question, there are multiple machines running Windows 7 and I have the Readynas box running as local and preferred master with OS level to 255 and WINS enabled. It should win all browser elections hands down.I have of course verified the Netbios Node Type on all machines and they are set to Hybrid. I have also checked the AV software (Symantec Endpoint Protection) does not block WINS or SSDP. I have also checked the browser service is started on all machines.There is no issue using the UNC path to access the PC's or ReadyNAS boxes but I just can't see them in Network. Occasionally you may be able to see the odd one machine and when that happens I have tried to find something unique about the scenario but had no joy.Looking online, this seems to be a fairly large problem with many users having flaky browsing of the network and running into similar problems to me.Anybody got anything they suggest I try?Thanks...

What ReadyNAS model and what firmware?Is the NAS in the same workgroup as your machines?Have you tried configuring the NAS to not try to be the master browser?

It's a ReadyNAS Pro 6 4.2.27 and yes of course it's the same workgroup :) I could disable the local and preferred master options... I presume the best way to do this is via mofication of smb.conf since the options are not within Frontview. Of course, disabling wins server might do the same thing, but I'm not sure. I'd also need to take out the "os level" option which I added previously to stop it winning the election.Now... Presumably when I do this, one of the other machines would win the election to be the browser and maybe then browsing would work. However, surely this shouldn't be necessary? With the local master, preferred master and os level 255 options set, the ReadyNAS should be winning the election and be the master browser.To be honest, I've seen issues with Windows 7 and browsing on multiple networks; not just ones with ReadyNAS boxes.

There is a known issue with the master browser functionality in 6.2.x.There is a ToggleMasterBrowser add-on for 4.2.x but I doubt that will make a difference.

Well... With preferred master, local master and os level set high, it's not going to make any difference since this is what the toggle browser plugin does if I recall correctly.I notice that domain master isn't configured but then this machine is not part of a domain and everything is on the same subnet.Do you have more details on the bug? If it affects Samba then potentially it could affect 4.2.27.

4.2.x and OS6 are quite different OSes with different versions of samba and other packages. An issue affecting one may not affect the other.

Windows 7 Browsing Network | NETGEAR Communities

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mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Jan 31, 2015
What ReadyNAS model and what firmware?

Is the NAS in the same workgroup as your machines?

Have you tried configuring the NAS to not try to be the master browser?
steveoelliott
Luminary
Jan 31, 2015
It's a ReadyNAS Pro 6 4.2.27 and yes of course it's the same workgroup :)

I could disable the local and preferred master options... I presume the best way to do this is via mofication of smb.conf since the options are not within Frontview. Of course, disabling wins server might do the same thing, but I'm not sure. I'd also need to take out the "os level" option which I added previously to stop it winning the election.

Now... Presumably when I do this, one of the other machines would win the election to be the browser and maybe then browsing would work. However, surely this shouldn't be necessary? With the local master, preferred master and os level 255 options set, the ReadyNAS should be winning the election and be the master browser.

To be honest, I've seen issues with Windows 7 and browsing on multiple networks; not just ones with ReadyNAS boxes.
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Feb 01, 2015
There is a known issue with the master browser functionality in 6.2.x.

There is a ToggleMasterBrowser add-on for 4.2.x but I doubt that will make a difference.
steveoelliott
Luminary
Feb 02, 2015
Well... With preferred master, local master and os level set high, it's not going to make any difference since this is what the toggle browser plugin does if I recall correctly.

I notice that domain master isn't configured but then this machine is not part of a domain and everything is on the same subnet.

Do you have more details on the bug? If it affects Samba then potentially it could affect 4.2.27.
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Feb 02, 2015
4.2.x and OS6 are quite different OSes with different versions of samba and other packages. An issue affecting one may not affect the other.
steveoelliott
Luminary
Feb 02, 2015
Of course... Do you know whether this is a Samba bug or something specific to your NAS box? Either way some more details would be good or are you still investigating?
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Feb 02, 2015
I'm not sure, but either way only OS6 boxes in the ReadyNAS range would be affected.
steveoelliott
Luminary
Feb 02, 2015
At some point in the future, I will look to set local master, preferred master to no and os level to 1 so one of the PC's takes on this role.

It will be interesting to see if this cures the problem. It may be a while until I can do this though.
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Feb 02, 2015
Just need to install this add-on: http://www.readynas.com/download/addons/x86/4.2/ToggleMasterBrowser_0.1-x86.bin

If it makes no difference install it again to reverse the change

steveoelliott

Luminary

Feb 11, 2015

OK, so having turned off local master, preferred master and set OS level to 20. I now have browsing working, with anoth machine taking the role of local master.

Whenever I set the NAS / Samba to be local and preferred with OS level set at 255, it loses the election to a win 7 PC. It cycles through being the browser and then losing it frequenty, around every 20 seconds (it wins and then loses)

I've just left it off and will allow the win 7 PC to be the master.

There doesn't seem to be a way to make the NAS be the master:

Exert of settings:


[global]
 allow trusted domains = 1
 delete readonly = 1
 dos charset = CP437
 encrypt passwords = 1
 follow symlinks = 1
 guest account = nobody
 hostname lookups = 0
 idmap gid = 35000-65000
 idmap uid = 35000-65000
 invalid users = root
 load printers = 1
 local master = 0
 log level = 0 auth:2
 map acl inherit = 1
 map to guest = Bad User
 max log size = 256
 name resolve order = "lmhosts host wins bcast"
 null passwords = 1
 obey pam restrictions = 1
 oplocks = 0
 os level = 20
 passdb backend = tdbsam
 passwd program = "/usr/bin/passwd %u"
 preferred master = 0
 preserve case = 1
 security = user
 server string = %h
 short preserve case = 1
 socket options = TCP_NODELAY SO_KEEPALIVE SO_SNDBUF=262144 SO_RCVBUF=262144
 store dos attributes = 1
 syslog = 0
 syslog only = 0
 template homedir = /c/home/%U
 unix charset = UTF-8
 unix password sync = 1
 veto files = "/TheVolumeSettingsFolder/TheFindByContentFolder/Network Trash Folder/Temporary Items/"
 wins server =
 wins support = 1
 workgroup = PANET

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