To configure cross-subnet browsing on a network containing machines in a workgroup, not an NT domain, you need to set up one Samba server to be the DMB (note that this is not the same as a Primary Domain Controller, although in an NT domain the same machine plays both roles). The role of a DMB is to collate the browse lists from LMB on all the subnets that have a machine participating in the workgroup. Without one machine configured as a DMB, each subnet would be an isolated workgroup unable to see any machines on another subnet. It is the presence of a DMB that makes cross-subnet browsing possible for a workgroup.

In a workgroup environment the DMB must be a Samba server, and there must only be one DMB per workgroup name. To set up a Samba server as a DMB, set the following option in the [global] section of the smb.conf file:

The DMB should preferably be the LMB for its own subnet. In order to achieve this, set the following options in the [global] section of the smb.conf file as shown in Domain Master Browser smb.conf

The DMB may be the same machine as the WINS server, if necessary.

Next, you should ensure that each of the subnets contains a machine that can act as an LMB for the workgroup. Any MS Windows NT/200x/XP machine should be able to do this, as will Windows 9x/Me machines (although these tend to get rebooted more often, so it is not such a good idea to use them). To make a Samba server an LMB, set the following options in the [global] section of the smb.conf file as shown in Local master browser smb.conf

Do not do this for more than one Samba server on each subnet, or they will war with each other over which is to be the LMB.

The local master parameter allows Samba to act as a LMB. The preferred master causes nmbd to force a browser election on startup and the os level parameter sets Samba high enough so it should win any browser elections.

If you have an NT machine on the subnet that you wish to be the LMB, you can disable Samba from becoming an LMB by setting the following options in the [global] section of the smb.conf file as shown in smb.conf for Not Being a Master Browser.