NetBIOS Session Service (NBSS)

Definition - What does NetBIOS Session Service (NBSS) mean?

NetBIOS session service (NBSS) is a method to connect two computers for transmitting large messages or heavy data traffic. Because the NetBIOS session service is involved in traffic generation and forwarding, TCP port 139 is used. The NetBIOS session service is mostly used for printer and file services over a network.

Techopedia explains NetBIOS Session Service (NBSS)

A system with NBSS implementation has the following characteristics:

  • Error Recovery: Applications are allowed to manage the networks and provide error detection and recovery features.
  • OSI Reference Model Services: Both the transport and session services of the open systems interconnection (OSI) reference model are very close to those used by NetBIOS. However, NetBIOS does not follow the OSI Model format and pattern for transmitting messages.
  • NBSS Naming: Names for NBSS are 16 bytes long with some specific restraints for byte values.

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