The DFS service may consume many of the CPU and memory resources on a Windows Server 2003-based domain controller (887602)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems

SYMPTOMS

On a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based domain controller that has Distributed File System (DFS) site costing enabled, the DFS service may consume many of the CPU and memory resources. Additionally, the client computers may take a long time to log on to the domain.

CAUSE

The problem occurs when the client referral request workload becomes too large. The probability that the problem will occur relates directly to the number of sites in the Active Directory directory service forest.

This problem occurs because DFS site cost lookups of client referral requests do not correctly release references. This behavior leads to redundant cache entry copies and excess memory use. The high CPU use is caused by lookups in oversized cache lists.

RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100 How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, 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

There are no prerequisites.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes. The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) 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, x86-based versions

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   08-Nov-2004  22:37  5.2.3790.231      137,216  Dfssvc.exe

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   08-Nov-2004  06:35  5.2.3790.231      461,824  Dfssvc.exe       IA-64
   08-Nov-2004  06:37  5.2.3790.231      137,216  Wdfssvc.exe      x86

WORKAROUND

To temporarily resolve this problem, restart the DFS service on the affected domain controller. You can also disable site costing at the DFS root. If multiple namespaces (roots) are configured, referral activity for a particular root should closely match excess memory and CPU usage.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:6/1/2006
Keywords:kbfix kbBug kbMemory kbHotfixServer kbQFE KB887602 kbAudITPRO
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.