A hotfix is available that adds two new cluster control codes to help you determine which cluster node is blocking a GUM update in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012

This article describes a hotfix that introduces a design-level change for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012. The hotfix adds two new cluster control codes that you can use to determine which cluster node is blocking a Global Update manager (GUM) update.

When a node contains an update that has to be shared with other nodes an initiator node first obtains a GUM lock. Then, the node shares the update by using a Multicast Request Reply (MRR) message to the other nodes. After this update is sent, the initiator node waits for a response from other nodes before you continue. However, in certain conditions, one of the nodes does not reply to the GUM request in time because the node is stuck for some reason. Currently, there is no mechanism to determine which node is stuck and does not reply to the GUM request.

After you install this hotfix, two new cluster control codes are added to help the administrator resolve the problem. One of the cluster control codes returns the GUM lock owner, and the other control code returns the nodes that are stuck. Therefore, administrator can restart the stuck nodes to resolve the problem. For more information about the new control codes, go to the following Microsoft:

Notes

• The Cluster service has a facility that is called GUM. GUM is used to distribute a global state throughout the cluster.
• Only one cluster node can send GUM messages at any time. This node is called the GUM lock owner.
• The GUM lock owner sends an MRR message to a subset of cluster nodes, and then waits for the nodes send message receipt confirmations.
• Run some iterations of these control codes to confirm that the node is stuck.
• After the CLUSCTL_CLUSTER_GET_GUM_LOCK_OWNER control code is called, you have to close the cluster handle. Then, you reopen the cluster handle by using the GUM lock owner node name that is returned by the control code. If you do not perform this action, the CLUSCTL_NODE_GET_STUCK_NODES control code may return an incorrect result.

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing the problem described in this article. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft website: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, you must be running Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2012.

For more information about how to obtain a Windows Server 2008 R2 service pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Registry information

To apply this hotfix, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The global version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.

• The files that apply to a specific product, SR_Level (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:

  Version	Product	Milestone	Service branch
  6.1.760 1.22xxx	Windows Server 2008 R2	SP1	LDR

• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Server 2012 file information notes

Important Windows 8 hotfixes and Windows Server 2012 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only "Windows 8" is listed on the Hotfix Request page. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 8" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.

• The files that apply to a specific product, milestone (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table:

  Version	Product	Milestone	Service branch
  6.2.920 0.20 xxx	Windows Server 2012	RTM	LDR

• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2012" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012

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

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional file information for Windows Server 2012

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2012