MSMQ Messages May Flood Wide Area Network with Messages at Startup (269821)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Message Queue Server (MSMQ) 1.0
This article was previously published under Q269821

SYMPTOMS

Messages may be delivered sporadically or seem to become "stuck" on MSMQ computers. Network monitors may show that bandwidth is exhausted with traffic between MSMQ Primary Site Controllers (PSCs).

CAUSE

When the MSMQ service starts, it sends sync requests to all other PSCs in parallel. Similarly, when the MSMQ service sends hello messages, it sends to all neighbors in parallel. This may overload the network when the number of PSCs is high.

RESOLUTION

A supported fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Windows NT V4.0 service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

The English version of this fix should have the following file attributes or later:
Date          Time   Version   Size      File name    Platform
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jul-16-2000   7:43   310       227,088   Mqis.dll     Windows NT4.0
Jul-16-2000   7:43   310       504,080   Mqqm.dll     Windows NT4.0
Jul-16-2000   7:43   310       106,768   Mqutil.dll   Windows NT4.0

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

This fix implements the following new registry keys to randomize the intervals at which the sync requests and hello messages are generated:
  • hklm\software\microsoft\msmq\parameters\DeferInitSyncReq- dword The default value for this key is 0. A nonzero value indicates that an MQIS server should not send a sync request immediately after you start the MSMQ service, but must wait for the interval that is specified by the following registry value before it sends the first sync request:

    hklm\software\microsoft\msmq\parameters\IntervalBetweenSyncReq

  • hklm\software\microsoft\msmq\parameters\RandomHelloInterval- dword The default value for this key is 0. When the value is 0, only the fix IntervalBetweenHello value is used. When the value is a nonzero number, a random number between 0 and the value of the key is added to the fix interval.

  • hklm\software\microsoft\msmq\parameters\RandomSyncReqInterval- dword The default value for this key is 0. When the value is 0, only the fix IntervalBetweenSyncReq value is used. When the value is a nonzero number, a random number between 0 and the value of the key is added to the fix interval.

REFERENCES

For additional information about DeferInitSyncReq and RandomHelloInterval, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

268813 FIX: MSMQ: Network Traffic from Site Controllers Increases When Site Controllers Are Unreachable

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/6/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbprb kbQFE KB269821
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