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Q114541: TCP/IP-based Applications Hang on Multiprocessor Systems

Article: Q114541
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:3.1; :3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.1 
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.1 
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server, version 3.1 
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SYMPTOMS
========

TCP/IP-based applications may hang on multiprocessor systems. A sniff of the
problem shows the Windows NT machine receiving and ACKing a FIN, but never
sending its corresponding FIN.

CAUSE
=====

The TCP/IP stack does not send a disconnect indication to the application if the
packet with the FIN bit set is being processed by one processor while a previous
data packet is concurrently being processed on another processor. This can occur
when two NDIS DPCs run concurrently on the same interface, which is possible
only on multiprocessor systems.

RESOLUTION
==========

None available at this time.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT
Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S.
Service Pack for Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. For
information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

  S E R V P A C K

Additional query words: prodnt

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Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW310 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS310 kbWinNTAdvSerSearch kbWinNTAdvServ310 kbWinNTS310search kbWinNT310Search kbWinNTW310Search
Version           : winnt:3.1; :3.1

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