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Q173519: WINS Allows Duplicate Name Registrations Across Slow Link

Article: Q173519
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): winnt:3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbnetworkkbbuglist kbfixlist
Last Modified: 10-AUG-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51, 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51, 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When a Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) server is operating across a slow
wide area network (WAN) link, it allows workstations and servers to register
duplicate names, causing connectivity problems on your network.

CAUSE
=====

The WINS Server name challenge may time-out on a slow WAN link, which may allow
a computer to register a duplicate name on the network.

RESOLUTION
==========

Obtain the fix mentioned below, then use the following steps to configure the
number of retries and the time interval for the initial retry attempt that WINS
uses for name challenges and responses:

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.

1. Run Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Go to the following key in the registry:

  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WINS\Parameters

3. Click Add Value on the Edit menu and type the following information to create
  two new registry values:

     Value: ChlMaxNoOfRetries
     Data Type: REG_DWORD
     Default = 3
     Description: This parameter determines the number of retries WINS
                  Server will do for the name challenge query.

     Value: InitChlRetryInterval
     Data Type: REG_DWORD
     Default = 500(milliseconds)
     Default: This parameter sets the initial retry interval for name
              challenge query. The interval is doubled for each subsequent
              retries. For example, if ChlmaxNoOfRetries is set to 4 and
              InitChlRetryInterval is set to 1000, the first retry will be
              1000ms later and the following retries will be at 2000ms,
              4000ms, 8000ms, and so on.

4. Exit Registry Editor.

5. Stop the WINS Server by typing the following at a command prompt, then
  pressing ENTER:

  net stop wins

6. Restart the WINS server by typing the following at a command prompt, then
  pressing ENTER:

  net start wins

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT versions 3.51 and
4.0.


A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and
should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you
are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you
wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft
Technical Support for more information.


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

When a WINS client sends a name registration request to its WINS Server for a
name that already exists, the WINS server sends a challenge request to the
computer that registered earliest. If there is no response to the challenge, the
WINS server will try two more times at 500-microsecond intervals. This was
previously a hard-coded value and could not be configured.

If the computer is operating across a slow link, it is possible that the response
will take too long, causing a time-out on the WINS server. The new computer will
then be successfully registered on the WINS server, which will cause two
computers to use the same name on the network.

Additional query words: conflict error

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbnetwork kbbuglist kbfixlist
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT351search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW351search kbWinNTW351 kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS351 kbWinNTS351search
Version           : winnt:3.51,4.0
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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

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