Microsoft KB Archive/840711

= A NULL IP address is assigned to the network adapter in a Windows Server 2003-based computer =

Article ID: 840711

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition

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SYMPTOMS
In some scenarios, a network adapter in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer that has been assigned a valid static IP address may be assigned a NULL IP address (0.0.0.0).



CAUSE
This problem occurs because of a race condition in TCP/IP.

Specifically, this problem may occur if both of the following conditions are true:
 * TCP/IP initializes faster than the network becomes ready.
 * Another component programmatically disables the Media Sensing feature in Windows Server 2003.

For example, Cluster Services (Clusnet.sys) may disable Media Sensing. User-mode applications may also disable Media Sensing by calling the IP Helper DisableMediaSense function.

This problem may also occur if you are using a Gigabit network adapter, because this network adapter may take longer to negotiate with the switch. This problem is even more likely to occur if multiple network adapters are tied together by a load-balancing failover NDIS MUX driver. In this scenario, the speed of the network initialization process may decrease significantly.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You must restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. Windows Server 2003 32-bit editions

Date        Time   Version            Size    File name --  13-Apr-2004  22:37  5.2.3790.163      334,336  Tcpip.sys 12-Apr-2004 22:56                        271  Branches.inf 13-Apr-2004 23:51                      9,766  Kb840711.cat 13-Apr-2004 23:45                        354  Updatebr.inf 13-Apr-2004 23:45                      5,694  Update_rtmqfe.inf

Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition

Date        Time   Version            Size    File name --  13-Apr-2004  22:37  5.2.3790.163      971,776  Tcpip.sys 12-Apr-2004 22:56                        271  Branches.inf 13-Apr-2004 23:51                      9,766  Kb840711.cat 13-Apr-2004 23:47                        354  Updatebr.inf 13-Apr-2004 23:47                      5,714  Update_rtmqfe.inf



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

Additional query words: interface card nic

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbwinserv2003presp1fix kbqfe kbhotfixserver KB840711

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