Question : WINS vs. Browser Service vs. NetBIOS over TCP

Running a W2K3 domain with ~400 machines, ~30 servers, 2 DCs. WINS is installed on both DCs with push/pull replication enabled. DHCP is configured to serve the WINS & DNS data as well as an IP to workstations. NetBIOS over TCP is enabled. The results of a "browstat.exe STATUS -V command are included/attached (in the "Code" box).

Questions:
1. Do I really need all of this running? We are not running an Exchange server in the domain (email is handled by another department). Users supposedly need to be able to browse the network via network neighborhood. It's my understanding the WNS will support that without the Browser service and NetBIOS over TCP.
2. Can I kill NetBIOS over TCP and the whole Browser service thing?
3. What other functions "rely" on NetBIOS and can't live without it?

I find that MS ofers a wealth of info on this but nothing that is concise, decisive, and clear.

Thanks

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             C:\>browstat status -v
Status for domain HAC... on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{E9DADA44-0956-428A-A3
C0-7070BD280CA8}
    Browsing is active on domain.
    Master browser name is: HACM-DC
        Master browser is running build 3790
    3 backup servers retrieved from master HACM-DC
        \\TERMSERV
        \\WEBAPP
        \\GIS
    There are 384 servers in domain HAC... on transport \Device\NetBT_Tcpip_{E9D
ADA44-0956-428A-A3C0-7070BD280CA8}
        Number of NT Advanced Servers:                  2
        Number of OS/2 Domain controllers:              0
        Number of Windows For Workgroups machines:      0
        Number of Os/2 machines:                        0
        Number of NT machines:                          384
 
        Number of active WfW browsers:                  0
        Number of browsers:                             281
        Number of backup browsers:                      62
        Number of master browsers:                      23

           
         

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Answer : WINS vs. Browser Service vs. NetBIOS over TCP

If your users are using the Network Neighborhood, you will need NetBIOS over TCP/IP, and consequently a WINS server and the browser service. The impact on the network as well as on CPU/RAM is minimal. Just keep it running.

Question : WINS vs. Browser Service vs. NetBIOS over TCP

Answer : WINS vs. Browser Service vs. NetBIOS over TCP

If your users are using the Network Neighborhood, you *will* need NetBIOS over TCP/IP, and consequently a WINS server and the browser service. The impact on the network as well as on CPU/RAM is minimal. Just keep it running.

If your users are using the Network Neighborhood, you will need NetBIOS over TCP/IP, and consequently a WINS server and the browser service. The impact on the network as well as on CPU/RAM is minimal. Just keep it running.