The network performance is not as fast as expected on a computer that has NUMA-based processors and that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7

Article ID: 981765 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:
  • You have a computer that is running Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7.
  • The computer has non-uniform memory access (NUMA)-based processors and multiple network ports.
  • You set the preferred NUMA node for each network port.
In this scenario, you cannot allocate the memory away from the preferred NUMA node. Therefore, the network performance is not as fast as expected on a computer that has NUMA-based processors. 
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CAUSE

This issue occurs because the Network Driver Interface Specification driver (Ndis.sys) incorrectly initializes the GROUP_AFFINITY structure for the affinity of the current thread. In this situation, the memory is allocated from a random NUMA node instead of from the preferred NUMA node.
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RESOLUTION

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:
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

To apply this hotfix, you must be running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

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.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 file information notes
Important Windows 7 hotfixes and Windows Server 2008 R2 hotfixes are included in the same packages. However, hotfixes on the Hotfix Request page are listed under both operating systems. To request the hotfix package that applies to one or both operating systems, select the hotfix that is listed under "Windows 7/Windows Server 2008 R2" on the page. Always refer to the "Applies To" section in articles to determine the actual operating system that each hotfix applies to.
  • 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 and for Windows 7" section. MUM and MANIFEST files, and the associated security catalog (.cat) files, are extremely important to maintain the state of the updated components. 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 7
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File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ndis.sys6.1.7600.20683711,56803-Apr-201008:02x86
Ndismigplugin.dll6.1.7600.16385156,16014-Jul-200901:16x86
Ndistrace.mofNot Applicable4,54810-Jun-200921:15Not Applicable
For all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ndis.sys6.1.7600.20683948,10403-Apr-201007:35x64
Ndismigplugin.dll6.1.7600.16385166,91214-Jul-200901:41x64
Ndistrace.mofNot Applicable4,54810-Jun-200920:31Not Applicable
For all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameFile versionFile sizeDateTimePlatform
Ndis.sys6.1.7600.206831,999,24003-Apr-201005:53IA-64
Ndismigplugin.dll6.1.7600.16385357,37614-Jul-200901:47IA-64
Ndistrace.mofNot Applicable4,54810-Jun-200920:36Not Applicable
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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.
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MORE INFORMATION

For more information about some common configuration scenarios for NUMA, visit the following Microsoft website: 
General information about some common configuration scenarios for NUMA
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms345345.aspx)

For more information about the GROUP_AFFINITY structure, visit the following Microsoft website:
General information about the "GROUP_AFFINITY" structure
(http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff546539.aspx)

For more information about the NUMA support in Windows Server 2008 R2 and in Windows 7, visit the following Microsoft website:
Code samples and general information about the NUMA support in Windows Server 2008 R2 and in Windows 7
(http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/64plusLP)
For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ )
Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Additional file information

Additional file information for Windows 7 and for Windows Server 2008 R2

Additional files for all supported x86-based versions of Windows 7
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File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,674
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:13
File nameX86_dcf9ed3edffda01ea160ffd77a8daf9b_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20683_none_44db90125205ae19.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size692
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:13
File nameX86_microsoft-windows-ndis_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20683_none_a82521ed968209f3.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size225,943
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:17
Additional files for all supported x64-based versions of Windows 7 and of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameAmd64_680537c80a133c57d106bcc2d28faf57_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20683_none_e2d84fe3cd4a31b5.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size696
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:13
File nameAmd64_microsoft-windows-ndis_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20683_none_0443bd714edf7b29.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size225,991
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:21
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,906
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:13
Additional files for all supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2
Collapse this tableExpand this table
File nameIa64_ee989cb20c719a03c78ddde9f6214fbf_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20683_none_e444916b08043cbe.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size694
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:13
File nameIa64_microsoft-windows-ndis_31bf3856ad364e35_6.1.7600.20683_none_a826c5e3968012ef.manifest
File versionNot Applicable
File size225,960
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:14
File nameUpdate.mum
File versionNot Applicable
File size1,684
Date (UTC)05-Apr-2010
Time (UTC)17:13
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Properties

Article ID: 981765 - Last Review: July 16, 2010 - Revision: 3.0
APPLIES TO
  • Windows 7 Enterprise
  • Windows 7 Home Basic
  • Windows 7 Home Premium
  • Windows 7 Professional
  • Windows 7 Starter
  • Windows 7 Ultimate
  • Windows HPC Server 2008 R2
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Datacenter
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
  • Windows Web Server 2008 R2
Keywords: 
kbqfe kbHotfixServer kbsurveynew kbautohotfix kbexpertiseinter kbexpertiseadvanced kbbug kbfix KB981765
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