Network applications that use the NetBT keep-alive transmissions may not work correctly after you install the Windows Server 2003 Scalable Networking Pack on a Windows Server 2003-based computer

Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure that you back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:After you install the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Scalable Networking Pack or you apply hotfix 916508 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the computer sends a TCP reset packet in response to a NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NetBT) keep-alive packet. Therefore, network applications that use the NetBT keep-alive transmissions may not work correctly.

To resolve the problem, apply this hotfix on every server that is running Windows Server 2003 with the Scalable Networking Pack installed or that has hotfix 916508 applied. If both the server and the client computer meet these criteria, apply the hotfix to both computers.

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

To apply this hotfix, you must have Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed. For more information about how to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Restart requirement

You must restart the 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 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 item in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To work around this problem, disable NetBT keep-alive transmissions on every computer that sends these transmissions to computers that are running Windows Server 2003 with the Scalable Networking Pack installed or that have hotfix 916508 applied. For example, if a client computer is not running Windows Server 2003 with the Scalable Networking Pack installed and does not have the hotfix described in KB916508 installed, make this registry change only on the client computer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NetBT\Parameters
3. In the right pane, right-click SessionKeepAlive, and then click Modify.
4. In the Value data text box, type 0xFFFFFFF, and then click OK.
5. Exit Registry Editor.
6. Restart the computer.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

For more information about the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Scalable Networking Pack, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: