DOCUMENT:Q214467 11-JUN-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Windows NT 4.0 DNR Only "Devolves" Two Domain Suffixes PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Q256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry SYMPTOMS ======== When a user tries to connect a Windows NT 4.0 client computer to a server that is more than two levels higher in the domain name tree structure, the user may find it necessary to type the full domain name to connect. This is caused by the client computer domain name resolver component (DNR) only "devolving" two domain suffixes. For instance, if you have a client named mycomputer.subdomain3.subdomain2.subdomain1.example.microsoft.com the domain suffix is subdomain3.subdomain2.subdomain1.example.microsoft.com If you want to ftp to a server named "myserver.example.microsoft.com," it is necessary to type the full name "myserver.example.microsoft.com." to connect. If you type only "myserver", the client queries the DNS for the following: myserver.subdomain3.subdomain2.subdomain1.example.microsoft.com myserver.subdomain2.subdomain1.example.microsoft.com (one level of devolution) myserver.subdomain1.example.microsoft.com (two levels of devolution) CAUSE ===== The DNR component was designed to only devolve two levels up the domain suffix. RESOLUTION ========== A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem described in this article and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing at a later time, to further ensure product quality. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT service pack that contains this fix. To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS NOTE: In special cases, charges that are normally incurred for support calls may be canceled, if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. Normal 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 fix should have the following file attributes or later: +---------------------------------------------------+ | Date | Time | Size | File Name | Platform | +---------------------------------------------------+ | 01/07/99 | 05:01p | 42,768 | rnr20.dll | (x86) | +---------------------------------------------------+ | 01/07/99 | 05:11p | 43,792 | rnr20.dll | (Alpha) | +---------------------------------------------------+ 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. With the default settings, it continues to devolve only two levels. However, this hotfix supports the new MaxDomainsSearchListSize registry value to make the devolution behavior configurable: Registry value: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\MaxDomainsSearchListSize Value Type: REG_DWORD Default: 3 (including the first query with no devolution) Range:1-12 (decimal) CAUTION: Setting this value higher than necessary can cause delays in name resolution, as more attempts to locate the name are made. STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. Additional query words: 4.00 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 Version : winnt:4.0 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 2002.