Install NetBEUI under Windows XP

Ah NetBEUI..NETBIOS Enhanced User Interface actually. Microsoft took IBM's venerable NETBIOS (Network Input Output System) and with IBM, developed NetBEUI. NETBIOS of course gives us NETBIOS names such as computernames and workgroup names. But that's probably WAY TOO MUCH information, so I'll get to the point. Soon. Those in a hurry can jump to Installing NetBEUI.

A Bit More Background

NetBEUI has been around since the days of Windows 3.x and continued through all the Windowses up to 2000. From 95 upwards TCP/IP was gaining popularity and with Windows XP, it was TCP/IP all the way. Novell followed a similar path, shifting to TCP/IP from its own native IPX/SPX.

The good thing about NetBEUI, used with MS Windows for many years, was that you just installed it and it worked. No extra configuration was necessary. Computers were identified by computernames. Fast and simple.

NetBEUI's big disadvantage is that it's not routable, which means it's not sophisticated enough to go through a router. Which by definition means it's not used on WAN's (i.e. LANs separated by routers). Enter TCP/IP..

Folowing the growth of the internet, TCP/IP is the network protocol of choice, replacing both NetBEUI and IPX/SPX (which is routable) as the default protocol in Windows. So why use NetBEUI? I can't think of a good reason really, but here's the information in case you can.

Installing NetBEUI in Windows XP

Installation is straightforward:

Download and extract xp_netbeui.zip [56K]
Copy Nbf.sys to %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\Drivers (c:\windows\system32\drivers)
Copy Netnbf.inf to %SYSTEMROOT%\Inf (c:\windows\inf)

NetBEUI is now ready to install in the usual manner (which is..see below).

Notes

The C:\windows\inf folder is hidden by default. To make it viewable, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Run, type Explorer, and then click OK
Click Tools, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab
Under Advanced Settings, click to select Show hidden files and folders under the Hidden files and folders Folder

To install NetBEUI:

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network Connections
Right-click the adapter you want to add NetBEUI to, and then click Properties
On the General tab, click Install
Click Protocol, and then click Add
Click to select NetBEUI Protocol from the list and then click OK
Restart computer if prompted

The NetBEUI protocol is now installed and ready to go. Note that Remote Access connections cannot use NetBEUI..