KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q142903: Windows NT Ndis.sys and Netflx3.sys Performance Improvement

Article: Q142903
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0,4.0 SP1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork
Last Modified: 08-AUG-2001

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP1 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 SP1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SUMMARY
=======

Microsoft has developed an enhancement to Windows NT that allows a computer with
at least two CPUs and at least two Compaq NetFlex network cards to significantly
improve network performance.

Previously, the network driver interrupt moderation on Symmetric Multi- Processor
(SMP) computers did not receive adequate information regarding CPU utilization.

To improve the network performance, obtain the enhancement mentioned below or
wait for the next Windows NT Service Pack.


MORE INFORMATION
================

Ndis.sys and Netflx3.sys have been modified to enhance performance. The new
Netflex3 driver has an improved interrupt moderation algorithm based on the
server CPU utilization in addition to the frame rate. The improved interrupt
moderation helps reduce the amount of server CPU usage for processing
interrupts, especially on a busy server.

The new Netflx3 driver is only available for the Intel platform whereas Ndis.sys
is available for Intel and Risc platforms.

This enhancement is currently only available as a "hotfix" and has been posted to
the following Internet location:

ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT40/hotfixes-
postSP1/ndis-fix


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0, Service
Pack 1. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 U.S.
Service Pack. 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

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW400sp1 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400sp1 kbWinNTS400search
Version           : :4.0,4.0 SP1

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.