KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q162868: WinNT 4.0 DNS Only Binds to a Maximum of 15 IP Addresses

Article: Q162868
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): 4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetwork
Last Modified: 25-FEB-2002

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

- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

A Windows NT 4.0 Domain Name Service (DNS) server fails to respond to name
queries when there are more than 15 IP addresses bound to the Microsoft DNS
service.

CAUSE
=====

The DNS server has a hard-coded limit so that it can only bind to 15 IP
addresses.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows NT version
4.0. 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


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

Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 2 and later no longer includes a hard-coded limit.
The limit was in place originally because the DNS server opens a socket for
every IP address it binds to, consuming resources. There is a significant memory
expense to each one. Customers should be encouraged to use the minimum necessary
bindings for best performance.

When this occurs, you may see the following error message in the system log in
Event Viewer:

  Event 410

The DNS Server is limited to listening on 15 IP addresses. This server is
configured with more than 15 IP addresses, so the DNS server has used the first
15 and will only respond to queries on these addresses. Use the Interfaces
dialog under Server Properties in the DNS admin tool to edit the list of IP
interfaces to 15 or fewer addresses on which you wish the DNS to answer queries.

Additional query words:

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : :4.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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

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.