H-Node (Hybrid Node)

The h-node mode solves the most significant problems associated with broadcast messages and with routed-environment operations. It is a combination of b-node and another node type that uses broadcast messages as a last effort. If the WINS server is down--making broadcast messages a necessity--the computer continues to poll the WINS server until it can be reached again. The h-node also can be configured to use the LMHOSTS file after broadcast name resolution fails.

No broadcast messages are generated if the WINS server is running, and computers can be on opposite sides of routers. If the WINS server is down, b-node is used, allowing computers on the same side of a router to continue to operate as usual.

For Microsoft TCP/IP users who configure TCP/IP manually, h-node is used by default unless the user does not specify addresses for WINS servers when configuring TCP/IP.