PC DirSync: IMPORT -S Hangs Computer During Dir-Sync

• Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

When IMPORT -S is run on an MS-DOS based-computer, the system may hang if the templates that Import is trying to process are larger than usual (that is 50-150 lines). On a computer other than MS-DOS, such as Microsoft Windows NT, IMPORT -S may cause a General Protection (GP) Fault.

Also, if a Requestor Import response is being generated during the Directory Synchronization (Dir-Sync) cycle, the same symptoms may occur during the SRVMAIN process. That is, the computer running DISPATCH.EXE may hang or GP Fault.

CAUSE

The buffer used to store the template information read from the ADMIN.TPL file is not large enough. There is no allowance for the extra spaces being inserted to separate the template fields. The problem can occur when more requestors are added to the Dir-Sync Server (DSS), and those requestors try to get a full Import, including templates. In this case, SRVMAIN -T will hang an MS-DOS computer.

This issue also affects ADMIN.EXE, SRVMAIN.EXE, and REQMAIN.EXE.

RESOLUTION

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in version 3.5 of IMPORT.EXE. This problem was corrected in version 3.5.22 of IMPORT.EXE. This update also requires version 3.5.22 of ADMIN.EXE, SRVMAIN.EXE, and REQMAIN.EXE. This fix has not been regression-tested and may be destabilizing in production environments. Contact Product Support Services for more information on the availability of this fix.

MORE INFORMATION

An allowance for extra spaces between template fields has been added to IMPORT.EXE. This will allow up to 256 template fields.