KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q143378: Rclient.exe Fails After 9 Connections

Article: Q143378
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork kbtool
Last Modified: 20-FEB-2002

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

If you have nine connections of Rclient.exe running on the same computer then
attempt to add a tenth (or more), the tenth connection will appear to stop
responding. The first nine connections keep on working normally. Killing or
exiting from one of the nine working connections will free up resources that
allow the tenth connection to start working normally.

CAUSE
=====

Rclient.exe is the client of the Remote Console utility, which allows the user
to remotely take control of a CMD console session and is included in the Windows
NT 4.0 Resource Kit. Remote Console is composed of a service, the server, and a
client. (For more information on Remote Console, please refer to the resource
kit help files.)

The Remote Console client, Rclient.exe, makes intensive use of completion I/O
ports. By default, it uses three worker threads: one to send the data to the
server and two to read the data from the server. As Remote Console works
entirely asynchronously, the two read operations are in a pending state most of
the time, and all the redirector resources are consumed.


RESOLUTION
==========

Modify the number of redirector worker threads at the client side by editing the
registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide
problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can
be solved. Use this tool at your own risk.

Modify the following value under the registry key

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CCS\Services\LanmanWorkstation\Parameters
(CCS is for CurrentControlSet):

ValueName = MaxThreads REG_DWORD
Default = 17
Modify to = 49

This will enable up to 49 simultaneous instances of Rclient on a single computer.
Notice that going above the limit also requires modification of the server
parameters on the server.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows NT versions
3.51 and 4.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here
in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: prodnt

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork kbtool 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search
Version           : :3.51,4.0

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

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.