The storport.sys driver leaks nonpaged pool memory when volumes are scanned, mounted, or dismounted in Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista

Consider the following scenario:

• You have some high-performance storage devices that are installed on a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 or Windows Vista. For example, you have a host-based RAID or a fiber-channel adapter installed.
• Some applications or services, such as Microsoft iSCSI Software Target, frequently scan, mount, or unmount volumes on this computer.

In this scenario, the nonpaged pool memory leaks continuously. Therefore, the performance of the computer begins to decrease. Eventually, all nonpaged pool memory is used, and the computer may crash. Or, the computer may automatically restart with a Stop error code.

During the bus enumeration process, the storport.sys driver allocates a temporary buffer for a unit, such as a logical unit number (LUN). However, during the storage deletion process, this temporary buffer is not freed. Instead, the buffer is uninitialized. This behavior causes the memory leak described in the Symptoms section.

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.

Important Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, only one of these products may be listed on the “Hotfix Request” page. To request the hotfix package that applies to both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, just select the product that is listed on the page.

Prerequisites

To apply this hotfix, your computer must be running one of the following operating systems:

• Windows Vista Service Pack 1
• Windows Vista Service Pack 2
• Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other previously released 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 Vista and Windows Server 2008 file information note

The MANIFEST files (.manifest) and the MUM files (.mum) that are installed for each environment are listed separately. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are critical to maintaining the state of the updated component. The security catalog files (attributes not listed) are signed with a Microsoft digital signature.

For all supported x86-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

For all supported x64-based versions of Windows Vista and of Windows Server 2008

For all supported Itanium-based versions of Windows Server 2008

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

The storport.sys port driver delivers increased disk I/O processing efficiency and throughput. For more information about this driver, following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Additional file information for Windows Server 2008

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

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

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