A Windows Server 2003-based computer may stop responding when many connections are created and then disconnected if IPsec is configured

Consider the following scenario:

• Internet Protocol security (IPsec) is configured to help secure IP connections to a Windows Server 2003-based computer.
• Many connections are created to the computer. Then, the connections are disconnected. These connections are created and then disconnected frequently.

In this scenario, the computer may stop responding. Applications on the computer may not function correctly.

Additionally, the following event is logged in the System log:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Srv
Event Category: None
Event ID: 2019
Date: Date
Time: Time
User: N/A
Computer: Computer name
Description:
The server was unable to allocate from the system nonpaged pool because the pool was empty.

If you examine the dump file that is collected or the poolmon log, you find that the NsCe tag uses most of the nonpaged pool memory.

When this problem occurs, you have to manually restart the computer.

This problem occurs because of a leak in the nonpaged pool memory in the IPsec.sys driver.

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 with Service Pack 1, x86-based versions

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

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 2, Itanium-based versions

Windows Server 2003, x64-based versions

Windows Server 2003 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.

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