I used the command netdom computername /add:newname.domainname.com to add a second name to a server running Windows 2008 Server R2. After restarting the server, I had DNS "A" entries for both names. In addition, the second name was added to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\LanmanServer\Parameters\OptionalNames, which I believe should have taken care of any NetBIOS resolution.
From my Windows 7 workstation, I can ping both names and running net view on both names reveals the same list of resources. From Windows XP, I can ping both names, but net view only works on the first name. Running net view on the second name returns:
System error 52 has occurred.
You were not connected because a duplicate name exists on the network. Go to System in
Control Panel to change the computer name and try again.
What do I need to do to make the second name usable from XP clients?
Update: I was able to resolve the problem by adding the REG_DWORD key DisableStrictNameChecking = 1 to HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\LanmanServer\Parameters, then restarting the Server service. However, I do not understand why this was necessary.
Best Answer
When Windows XP spoke to Windows Server 2008 using Name2, the server responded that it was actually Name1. Windows XP told you that Name2 was being used for both server Name1, and Server Name2 -- 2 different servers at the same name.
There are two solutions to this problem:
1) Use SMB 2, on Vista/Win7/Server 2008 etc
2) Use SMB 1 on XP, but tell XP not to check the server name when it gets a replay -- Disable Strict Name Checking.