What type of IP addresses does WINS manage?

WINS, or Windows Internet Name Service, is specifically designed to resolve NetBIOS names to IP addresses within a local network. It primarily manages dynamic IP addresses because these addresses can change frequently, especially in environments where DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is used. When a device connects to the network and is assigned a dynamic IP address, WINS keeps track of these assignments, ensuring that users can easily access resources by name rather than having to remember changing IP addresses.

The ability to resolve the names of devices that might not have static IP addresses is crucial in maintaining smooth communication and resource access within a network. This function supports the dynamism found in modern networking environments, where devices may frequently join and leave the network with different addresses.