TCP/IP-based Applications Hang on Multiprocessor Systems

- Microsoft Windows NT operation system 3.1 - Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1

SYMPTOMS

TCP/IP-based applications may hang on multiprocessor systems. A sniff of the problem shows the Windows NT machine receiving and ACKing a FIN, but never sending its corresponding FIN.

CAUSE

The TCP/IP stack does not send a disconnect indication to the application if the packet with the FIN bit set is being processed by one processor while a previous data packet is concurrently being processed on another processor. This can occur when two NDIS DPCs run concurrently on the same interface, which is possible only on multiprocessor systems.

RESOLUTION

None available at this time.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K