Microsoft KB Archive/122494

= Network Storm Caused By Basic Redirector =

Article ID: 122494

Article Last Modified on 10/14/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Network Client 3.1
 * Microsoft Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS

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This article was previously published under Q122494





SYMPTOMS
Your network workstation configured with the Basic Redirector from the Microsoft Network Client version 3.0 for MS-DOS, or from the Microsoft Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS version 3.11 may hang and create a network storm (excessive network traffic that can render a network ineffective). This problem will only occur with some applications in specific situations.



CAUSE
When an application requests a read past the end of a file on a network server, the server will respond with an indication that there is no data in the requested range. The redirector then adjusts the request, based on the current size of the file on the server.

In the case of an empty (zero-byte) file, there is an error in the adjustment code of the Basic Redirector which causes the it to repeatedly make the same network request. The sequence of network requests are a Seek, followed by a Read, then another Seek and Read, and another, and so on.

Some commercial applications can, in some circumstances, initiate this sequence of requests, triggering the network "storm".



WORKAROUND
Use the Full Redirector, the redirector from Lan Manager version 2.2, or Windows for Workgroups version 3.11.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Workgroup Add-On for MS-DOS, Version 3.11 and Microsoft Network Client v3.0 for MS-DOS. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

Additional query words: wfw wfwg prodnt 3.00 3.11

Keywords: KB122494

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