FIX: The DNS Client service uses the first IP address that the DNS server returns, even if the IP address is not on the local subnet, when you access the DNS server from a Windows Server 2003-based client

Consider the following scenario:

• You access a Domain Name System (DNS) server from a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based client.
• The DNS server has multiple IP addresses.
• The DNS server is set to use the round robin feature to return the IP addresses to the clients.
• The IP addresses and the subnet masks that are registered to the DNS server use the Classless Internet Domain Routing (CIDR) format. For example, the IP addresses are native class A addresses that have native class B subnet masks or native class C subnet masks.

In this scenario, the DNS Client service uses the first IP address that the DNS server returns, even if the IP address is not on the local subnet.

This issue occurs because the DNS Client service does not use subnet prioritization in Windows Server 2003.

Service pack information

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

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 to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix. However, you can restart the computer later. To restart the computer later, click to select the Do not restart now check box before you click Finish when you install the 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 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

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This bug was corrected in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1.

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