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Q195611: DNS Client Does Not Try All Servers in DNS Service List

Article: Q195611
Product(s): Microsoft Windows NT
Version(s): WinNT:4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbWinNT400sp5fix
Last Modified: 20-MAY-2002

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 
- Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When a DNS query is made and the query returns an error such as server failure
(rcode 2), the other servers in the list were not queried. The failure was
passed back to the requester even though querying another server in the list
could successfully complete the query.

CAUSE
=====

The only time secondary servers were queried, was when no response is received
from the primary server in the server list.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or
the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service
pack, please go to:

- http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ServicePacks/

-or-

- Q152734 How to Obtain the Latest Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft
Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support
Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the
following address on the World Wide Web:

  http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS


STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This
problem was first corrected in Windows NT version 4.0 Service Pack 5.

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

The DNS query algorithm has been modified to attempt other servers in the server
list if an error is received from a server that may be resolved by trying
another server in the list. The new algorithm will retry servers until:

- The name query is answered successfully.

- An authoritative answer is received from a server that the requested host
  does not exists (rcode 3).

- The server list is exhausted.

Additional query words: 4.00
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Keywords          : kbWinNT400sp5fix 
Technology        : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTSEntSearch kbWinNTSEnt400 kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400
Version           : WinNT:4.0
Hardware          : ALPHA x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbfix

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