Active Directory replication-specific DNS records may not be registered on the correct DNS server in Windows Server 2003

Active Directory replication is blocked or delayed by a DNS lookup failure, and you have recently promoted or changed the IP addresses of one or more Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based domain controllers.

This problem occurs when the newly promoted domain controller has registered its A or CNAME records on a random remote DNS server, and a destination domain controller cannot locate the newly promoted or newly addressed source domain controller's CNAME record or resolve that record to an IP address.

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 this specific problem. 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 Web site: 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

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.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:

• Wait for the source domain controller's A or CNAME records to replicate to the destination domain controller.
• Install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 on your source domain controller.
• Install this hotfix on your source domain controller.
• Install Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or this hotfix before you create new domain controllers and domains with Active Directory.
• Integrate Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 or this hotfix in your Windows Server 2003 build 3790 installation media so that upgraded or new installations of Windows Server 2003 computers include fixes for known issues.

Note The information in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 271791 applies to both Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003.

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

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: