DCDiag.exe returns incorrect Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG) information (832628)

SYMPTOMS

When you run the DCDiag.exe domain controller diagnostics tool together with the /e and the /v switches, DCDiag.exe returns information that is similar to the following:

Doing intersite inbound replication test on site <SiteName>: 
            Locating & Contacting Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG) ... 
               *Warning: ISTG time stamp is 10500 minutes old on <DomainControllerName1>. Looking for a new ISTG. 
               *Warning: The next ISTG could not be authoritively determined for site <SiteName>.  A DC should make an ISTG failover attempt in 46 minutes. 
               * Warning: Current ISTG failed, ISTG role should be taken by <DomainControllerName2> in 46 minutes.

Note The DCDiag.exe tool is included with the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Support Tools. To install the Windows Support Tools, double-click Suptools.msi in the Support\Tools folder on the Windows Server 2003 CD-ROM.

CAUSE

This issue occurs when your forest is at the Windows Server 2003 forest functional level. The intersite test that DCDiag.exe performs returns an incorrect analysis about the state of the Intersite Topology Generator (ISTG). This issue occurs because Windows Server 2003 uses a different ISTG keep-alive method from the keep-alive method that is used in Microsoft Windows 2000. The location of the keep-alive information has been moved in Windows Server 2003 to reduce replication overhead. Because DCDiag.exe tries to read this information from an incorrect location, an incorrect analysis about ISTG is returned.

RESOLUTION

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows Server 2003 service pack that contains this hotfix.

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

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

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 usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required to install this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this 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) 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 32-bit editions

    Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   ----------------------------------------------------------
   02-Dec-2003  02:35  5.2.3790.107      281,600   Dcdiag.exe

Windows Server 2003 64-bit editions

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name    Platform
   ---------------------------------------------------------------------
   01-Dec-2003  21:34  5.2.3790.107      581,120  Dcdiag.exe       IA-64