DOCUMENT:Q142903 24-OCT-1996 [winnt] TITLE :Windows NT Ndis and Netflx3 Performance Improvement PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:4.00 OPER/SYS:WINDOWS KEYWORDS:kbnetwork -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 Service Pack 1 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 Service Pack 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Microsoft has developed an enhancement to Windows NT that allows a computer with at least two CPUs and at least two Compaq NetFlex network cards to significantly improve network performance. Previously, the network driver interrupt moderation on Symmetric Multi-Processor (SMP) computers did not receive adequate information regarding CPU utilization. To improve the network performance, obtain the enhancement mentioned below or wait for the next Windows NT Service Pack. MORE INFORMATION ================ Ndis.sys and Netflx3.sys have been modified to enhance performance. The new Netflex3 driver has an improved interrupt moderation algorithm based on the server CPU utilization in addition to the frame rate. The improved interrupt moderation helps reduce the amount of server CPU usage for processing interrupts, especially on a busy server. The new Netflx3 driver is only available for the Intel platform whereas Ndis.sys is available for Intel and Risc platforms. This enhancement is currently only available as a "hotfix" and has been posted to the following Internet location: ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT40/hotfixes-postSP1/ndis-fix STATUS ====== Microsoft has confirmed this feature to be lacking in Windows NT version 4.0, Service Pack 1. A supported enhancement is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems requiring this new feature. Unless you are severely impacted by the lack of this feature, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this enhancement. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information. KBCategory: kbnetwork kbbug4.00.sp1 KBSubcategory: ntnetserv ntdriver Additional reference words: prodnt 4.00 ============================================================================ THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1996.