The performance of your computer may decrease significantly when you configure your Windows Server 2003-based computer to accept SSL connections (843196)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
Important This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you configure your Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based computer to accept incoming Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connections, the performance of your computer may decrease significantly.

CAUSE

This issue occurs when the number of context handles that are stored in the hash table becomes very large.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

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 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.

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. Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 32-bit editions
Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
-------------------------------------------------------
09-Jun-2004  17:10  5.2.3790.183  153,600  Schannel.dll
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
Date         Time   Version       Size     File name
-------------------------------------------------------
09-Jun-2004  17:07  5.2.3790.183  481,280  Schannel.dll

MORE INFORMATION

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

The SSL context handle list is stored in a hash table as an array of linked lists. To speed up the performance of context lookups, this hotfix adds the UserContextListCount and UserContextLockCount entries to the registry in the following subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL

You can modify the values of these registry entries to increase storage space in the hash table.

The default value of the UserContextListCount is 00000100. To increase performance, increase the value of this entry to 00000101 or more.

The default value of the UserContextLockCount entry is 00000008. To increase performance, increase the value of this entry.

STATUS

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

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the terminology that is used in this article, 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:6/1/2006
Keywords:kbQFE kbHotfixServer kbBug kbfix kbWinServ2003preSP1fix KB843196 kbAudITPRO
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