DOCUMENT:Q248279 08-MAY-2002 [winnt] TITLE :Poor Performance Observed on WLBS Hosts PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:1.0,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbnetwork ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Load Balancing Service 1.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== On a cluster host with a single network adapter, the transmission of Internet Protocol (IP) packets for outbound connections (for example, to a back end database) may appear to be paced at 16-millisecond intervals. This may affect the performance of a Windows NT Load Balancing Service (WLBS) cluster, and the problem may be especially noticeable under low loads. If you disable WLBS the time delay is not improved. If you uninstall WLBS, the problem is resolved. CAUSE ===== This behavior occurs because of an interaction failure between WLBS and Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS). 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 4.0 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-language version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later: Date Time Size File name Platform --------------------------------------------------- 10/12/1999 08:44p 36,112 Wlbs.exe x86 10/29/1999 02:06p 60,208 Wlbs.sys 10/12/1999 08:43p 121,744 Ndis.sys 10/12/1999 08:43p 51,472 Wlbs.exe Alpha 10/29/1999 02:05p 101,104 Wlbs.sys 10/12/1999 08:41p 213,680 Ndis.sys STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT 4.0. Additional query words: nic card ====================================================================== Keywords : kbnetwork Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNT400search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTLBS100 kbWinNTLBSSearch Version : winnt:1.0,4.0 Hardware : ALPHA x86 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.