Microsoft KB Archive/149448

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Incorrect Node Address In IPX Header Causes Broadcast Storm

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Q149448

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 95

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SYMPTOMS
When you use the IPX/SPX-compatible network protocol (Nwlink.vxd) on Windows 95-based computers on a network with IPX routing, network traffic may intermittently increase dramatically, severely degrading network performance. This condition is known as a broadcast storm.

CAUSE
When you start a Windows 95-based computer that uses the IPX/SPX- compatible network protocol, frames may be sent out with incorrect IPX header information under certain circumstances. Specifically, the node (MAC) address is incorrect. Novell NetWare servers and IPX routers try to respond to these frames by sending to the incorrect address. Because there is no response, the servers and routers continue to retry, eventually generating a broadcast storm.

This problem is especially noticeable if the IPX frame type is set to Auto. In this case, the initial RIP and SAP packets that are sent out to detect which frame type is in use on the network cause numerous responses to be sent to the incorrect MAC address. The effect is less dramatic if the IPX frame type is set to a specific type.

RESOLUTION
This issue is resolved by the following updated file for Windows 95, and later versions of this file:

  NWLINK.VXD  version 4.00.952  dated 9/21/95  51,025 bytes

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 95. An update to address this problem is now available, but is not fully regression tested and should be applied only to computers experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft does not recommend implementing this update at this time. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for additional information about the availability of this update.

This issue is resolved in Microsoft Windows 98.

MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about issues resolved by updates to this component, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q174202 Configuring SPX Watchdog Timers in Windows 95

Q166321 Configuring Maximum IPX Packet Size in Windows 95

Q164474 OE Exception in NWLINK Sending Message from Microsoft Exchange

Q159959 Connection Fails Over IPX with Duplicate SPX Connection ID

Q145651 Windows Sockets Program Generates Errors In WSIPX

Q138000 Error Connecting to an Attachmate Gateway with a Cisco Router

For additional information about Windows 95 updates, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q161020 Implementing Windows 95 Updates" Keywords : win95

Issue type : kbprb

Technology : kbWin95search kbWin95