Bridgehead servers with slow or poor links may not follow schedules defined in Active Directory for inbound replication in Windows Server 2003 (824335)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003

SYMPTOMS

Scheduled replications do not occur within their assigned 15 minute window when you are running Microsoft Windows Server 2003 domain controllers. Replications occur late and occupy time slots intended for replication of other connections.

This problem affects bridgehead domain controllers with a large number of inbound replication partners connected over wide area network connections (typically in remote Active Directory sites) with the following attributes:
  • Domain controllers in the hub site are connected to branch site DCs over slow and unstable network links.
  • The Active Directory replication frequency is scheduled to occur less often than every 5 hours.

CAUSE

The bridgehead domain controllers occasionally expire network connections to servers that are no longer in use. When you have bridgehead domain controllers in hub sites of large Active Directory deployments, there can be many inbound connections from branch-site domain controllers which need to be expired. This can take some time and blocks pending inbound replication requests.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Microsoft Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

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.
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   26-Aug-2003  00:08  5.2.3790.81     1,520,128  Ntdsa.dll

WORKAROUND

The task in charge of cleaning up unneeded network connections in NTDSA periodically pre-empts itself to allow other tasks to run. Install this hotfix or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 on all potential bridgehead domain controllers in the hub site that may have greater than 100 inbound connection objects. Realistically, you should install this hotfix or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 on all existing Windows Server 2003 domain controllers in the forest. New domain controllers promoted into the forest should have this hotfix or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 installed prior to running the Active Directory Installation Wizard, DCPROMO.EXE.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

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

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/27/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbWinServ2003preSP1fix kbQFE kbfix kbbug KB824335 kbAudEndUser
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