Share via

Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) Client

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) is used by Windows Peer-to-Peer Networking to resolve names for peer communication.

In peer-to-peer environments, peers rely on name resolution systems to resolve each other's network locations (addresses, protocols, and ports) from names or other types of identifiers. PNRP provides a secure, scalable, and dynamic name registration and name resolution protocol first developed for Windows XP, and then upgraded in Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. PNRP works very differently from traditional name resolution systems, opening up new possibilities for applications.

PNRP has the following properties:

  • Distributed and serverless for scalability and reliability
  • Effortless name publication without using third party applications 
  • Real time updates to identifiers and addresses.
  • Identifies more than just computers
  • Protected name publication (secure and non-secure name publication)

Aspects

The following is a list of all aspects that are part of this managed entity:

Name Description

PNRP Protocol

The Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) protocol determines the interaction of the local computer with the PNRP cloud (a grouping of computers that can find each other). The local computer must have a default identity defined and proper permissions assigned in order to interact properly with the cloud.

PNRP Service

The Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) service provides a secure, scalable, and dynamic name registration and name resolution protocol that relies on Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and enables peer-to-peer functionality for PNRP-enabled applications.

Core Operating System