Update to enhance the throughput of applications that use Winsock Direct in a System Area Network environment in Windows Server 2003

When you use Microsoft Windows Server 2003 to implement Winsock Direct (WSD) in a fast System Area Network (SAN) environment, the throughput of applications that use WSD may be less than expected.

The patterns that lead to low throughput in a fast SAN environment include the following:

• Winsock applications use a combination of non-blocking sockets and overlapped operations.
• Winsock applications send a large buffer immediately after they send a small buffer.
• Winsock applications pass more than one WSABUF data structure to the WSASend API.

This problem occurs because of a bug in the WSD switch code.

Update information

The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Update for Windows Server 2003, x86-based versions

Download the 927620 package now.

Update for Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Download the 927620 package now.

Update for Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

Download the 927620 package now.

Update information

Release Date: November 21, 2006

For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. 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 the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Update replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other updates or 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, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003, Itanium-based versions

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

This update improves both throughput and latency of the data that is sent between peer computers. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: