NetBIOS Background

NetBIOS Background

NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System) is an application interface that provides PC-based applications with uniform access to lower protocol layers. NetBIOS was once most closely associated with the NetBEUI protocol—NetBEUI, in fact, is an abbreviation for NetBIOS Extended User Interface. In recent years, however, other vendors have recognized the importance of providing compatibility with PC-based applications through NetBIOS, and NetBIOS is now available with many protocol configurations. For instance, such terms as “NetBIOS over IPX” or “NetBIOS over TCP/IP” refer to the protocols used with NetBIOS.