The DFS Replication service may stop responding when it initializes the replication process for the replicated folders on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Server 2008 R2

Consider the following scenario:

• You install the Distributed File System (DFS) Replication service under the File Services role on a computer that is running Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
• You configure some replicated folders to keep synchronization among multiple servers.

In this scenario, the DFS Replication service may stop responding. After this issue occurs, replication stops. Therefore, the files are inconsistent on different servers.

Sometimes, the following event log entry is added to the DFS Replication log after the issue occurs:

Log Name: DFS Replication
Source: DFSR
Date: <date>
Event ID: 4004
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: <computer name>
Description: The DFS Replication service stopped replication on the replicated folder at local path <path>

When the DFS Replication service initializes the replicated folders for the replication process, it traverses all related paths to check whether the replicated folders are reparse points that act as symbolic links or that act as mount points.

The DFS Replication service expects to open synchronous handles to access these paths. However, it uses the asynchronous handles incorrectly. The DFS Replication service cannot handle the I/O requests that are held by a filter driver. Therefore, the DFS Replication service stops responding.

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 the problem described in this article. 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, your computer must be running one of the following Windows operating systems:

• Windows Server 2003 R2
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
• Windows Server 2008 R2

The DFS Replication service under the File Services role must be installed.

For more information about how to obtain a Windows Server 2008 service pack, 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 a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English (United States) version of this hotfix installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables. The dates and the times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The dates and the times for these files on your local computer are displayed in your local time together with your current daylight saving time (DST) bias. Additionally, the dates and the times may change when you perform certain operations on the files.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2003 R2

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 R2

For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2003 R2

Windows Server 2008 file information notes

• The files that apply to a specific product, SR_Level (RTM, SPn), and service branch (LDR, GDR) can be identified by examining the file version numbers as shown in the following table.

  Version	Product	SR_Level	Service branch
  6.0.600 1 . 22xxx	Windows Server 2008	SP1	LDR
  6.0.600 2 . 22xxx	Windows Server 2008	SP2	LDR

• Service Pack 1 is integrated into the release version of Windows Server 2008. Therefore, RTM milestone files apply only to Windows Vista. RTM milestone files have a 6.0.0000.xxxxxx version number.
• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes

• The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately in the "Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files, for which the attributes are not listed, are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2

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:

Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2