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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steveoelliott
Luminary
Feb 12, 2015
To further add to this, I found something interesting: http://bugs.contribs.org/show_bug.cgi?id=8482

In this scenario it talks about a Windows 7 PC always winning the election until "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Browser\Parameters\IsDomainMaster" is set to "FALSE" It ponders the idea that once a Windows 7 machine has been on another network where it has taken that role or that setting is somehow made, it sticks there and then always wins / battles for this position.

In my network, there is in fact always one other machine which tries to get the master browser role. So I am betting it is down to this! I mean there is no way that my NAS should lose with the settings I had previously so I suspect when the registry setting is made, it is >= in power to the NAS with OS level at 255.
Hardhat
Aspirant
Feb 16, 2015
New ReadyNas 312 is eating my lunch and making a mess off browsing the windows network. Small company 12 Windows user systems (2 of which are XP), 5 tcpip printers, one work-group name, one switch and one router acting as DHCP and DNS server.

A month ago I renamed the new NAS default name and work-group. I noticed that it became the Master Browser and I cant seem to control it. Somewhere embedded in it is it original default name and work-group, which pop back up anytime it restarts or something.

I don't have a clue how to access some command line to do so, so I may take Netgears suggestion to go with the OS 6. beta. I know I cant go back to 6.2.2 after installing.

Any advise ?
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Feb 16, 2015
Hardhat you can go back to 6.2.2 after upgrading to 6.2.3 beta. I would suggest you give the beta firmware a try.
Hardhat
Aspirant
Feb 23, 2015
I have received and installed from Netgear support the firmware update 6.2.3 beta. After restarting the NAS i am seeing correct network browsing and the NAS along with the one system i configured as such are acting as Master Browsers. I had thought I would see something within the new firmware that gave me the ability to control the NAS becoming a Master Browser, but I did not. Is there no interface for doing so? I don't have a clue how to even get into the console level of programming that I see some have posted. I am fine with the NAS being a Master, since it will always be on. I just don't need it monkeying up the rest of the network. Maybe time will tell. Thanks again for your advice. Wow, I am running a beta!
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Feb 23, 2015
The setting for whether the NAS tries to be the Master Browser can be changed via SSH.

I think it's better to run the beta firmware where the master browser functionality works than to mess with SSH if you are not familiar with it.
Hardhat
Aspirant
Feb 24, 2015
Thanks mdgm, I will take your advice and stay out of SSH. The trouble I was having was if the NAS restarted, something in it I presume, was reverting back to original NAS and Workgroup name, which messed up browsing for all other systems within correct workgroup name.
Hardhat
Aspirant
Feb 26, 2015
The OS 6.2.3 Beta worked extremely well. The NAS as a Master Browser can be shutdown and or restarted with network browsing remaining consistent!
Couldnt be happier! Thanks to Netgear support and advice given in here!

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Windows 7 Browsing Network

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