Distributed File System Replication in Windows Server 2003 R2 performs unnecessary replication when an antivirus application is installed

Consider the following scenario:

• Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) is running to replicate data between Windows Server 2003 R2-based computers.
• An antivirus application is installed on one or more members of a replication group.
• Real-time protection is enabled in the antivirus application.

In this scenario, the antivirus application may generate high CPU usage. Additionally, many unnecessary replications occur on the DFSR servers.

Sometimes, the following event is logged in the DFSR log:

Event Type: Information
Event Source: DFSR
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4412
Date: <Date>
Time: <Time>
User: N/A
Computer: <Computer name>
Description:
The DFS Replication service detected that a file was changed on multiple servers. A conflict resolution algorithm was used to determine the winning file. The losing file was moved to the Conflict and Deleted folder.

Additional Information:
Original File Path: <File path>
New Name in Conflict Folder: <Folder name>

Replicated Folder Root: <Folder name>
File ID: <File ID>
Replicated Folder Name: <Folder name>
Replicated Folder ID: <Folder ID>
Replication Group Name: <Replication group name>
Replication Group ID: <Replication group ID>
Member ID: <Member ID>

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 or Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 installed on the computer. For more information, 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 R2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2, x86-based versions

Windows Server 2003 R2, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 R2 with Service Pack 2, x64-based versions

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

In a typical scenario where this problem occurs, DFSR and Microsoft Forefront Client Security are installed on the same computer. Other antivirus applications may also have this problem, depending on the APIs that they use.

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