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File sharing on the network is slower than expected in Windows Server 2003 SP1

Article ID: 904160 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

When you use the GetFileAttributes function and the SetFileAttributes function frequently on many files, you notice that file sharing on the network is slower than expected in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1).

Note Windows Server 2003 SP1 is included in x64-based versions of Windows Server 2003.

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CAUSE

The problem occurs because the locking mechanism for an NTFS file system queue is changed in Windows Server 2003 SP1. This change adds more overhead to NTFS. This added overhead causes the decrease in network performance.

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RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

889100

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889100/ )

How to obtain the latest service pack for Windows Server 2003

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:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

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

You must have Service Pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 installed to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply the 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 tool in Control Panel.

Windows Server 2003, 64-bit x64-based versions

   Date         Time   Version             Size  File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------
   18-Aug-2005  15:27  5.2.3790.2512  1,120,768  Ntfs.sys
   18-Aug-2005  15:27  5.2.3790.2512     43,008  Arpidfix.exe

Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems with Service Pack 1 (SP1)

   Date         Time   Version             Size  File name     Platform
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   18-Aug-2005  15:26  5.2.3790.2512  1,872,896  Ntfs.sys
   18-Aug-2005  15:26  5.2.3790.2512     74,752  Arpidfix.exe  IA-64

Windows Server 2003, 32-bit versions with Service Pack 1 (SP1)

   Date         Time   Version           Size  File name
   --------------------------------------------------------
   19-Aug-2005  02:03  5.2.3790.2512  589,824  Ntfs.sys
   19-Aug-2005  01:38  5.2.3790.2512   32,256  Arpidfix.exe

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2.

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