Question : Compare and contrast how Windows and Mac OS (Leopard) resolves a hostname on local network

I am a recent Mac convert and am having an issue accessing a device from Mac using hostname.  I've been reading a lot about this problem on the internet but the answers aren't really sinking in.  So lets start this discussion with a simple question.

For the purpose of this discussion when I refer to my "Local Network" that means my home network which consists of a router, a dsl modem, multiple pcs, a network attached storage device and a macbook all attached to the same router.

From a pc connected to my local network when I type ping localhostname (this is a host name of a device on my local network).  How does windows resolve the localhostname into an ip address?

Answer : Compare and contrast how Windows and Mac OS (Leopard) resolves a hostname on local network

1. Check Hosts file on the local machine
2. Check DNS cache on local machine
3. Query primary DNS server for answer
3. Query secondary DNS server for answer

Dont think there are any more steps that I have missed out...