DOCUMENT:Q138575 08-AUG-2001 [winnt] TITLE :Communication Fails Through Ethernet Segment Between FDDI Rings PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT PROD/VER:winnt:3.5,4.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:kbnetwork ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5, 4.0 - Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5, 4.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The communication between two FDDI rings through an Ethernet segment may fail when you use TCP/IP and any FDDI network interface card (NIC) in Windows NT 3.5. For example: FDDI Ring-----Bridge-----Ethernet segment-----Bridge-----FDDI Ring CAUSE ===== Because both Windows NT 3.5 Server/Workstation are connected to the FDDI ring, the two hosts will negotiate to use the FDDI's MTU size. However once the communication between the two hosts begins the Ethernet segment will fail to forward packets more than 1,500 bytes. This situation may not occur if the bridges are replaced with routers, because router are capable of fragmenting packets (TCP/IP only). RESOLUTION ========== To correct this problem, modify the registry. WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to reinstall Windows NT to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk. 1. Run Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE). 2. From the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree, go to the following key: \SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\ \Parameters\Tcpip 3. From the Edit menu, select Add Value. 4. Add the following: Value Name: MTU Data Type: REG_DWORD Data: <1500 or Ethernet segment's MTU size> 5. Choose OK. 6. Quit Registry Editor. 7. Shutdown and restart Windows NT. MORE INFORMATION ================ The MTU size specifies the maximum transmission unit size of an interface. Each interface used by TCP/IP may have a different MTU value specified. The MTU is usually determined through negotiation with the lower driver, using that lower driver's value. However, that value may be overridden. Ideally, the MTU should be large enough to hold any datagram in one frame. The limiting factor is usually the technology making the transfer. Some technologies limit the maximum size to as little as 128; Ethernet limits transfers to 1500; and proNet-10 allows as many as 2044 octets per frame. Datagrams larger than the MTU value are automatically divided into smaller pieces called fragments; size is a multiple of eight octets. Fragmentation usually occurs somewhere through which the traffic must pass whose MTU is smaller than the encapsulated datagram. If fragmentation occurs, the fragments travel separately to the destination computer, where they are automatically reassembled before the datagram is processed. Additional query words: prodnt ====================================================================== Keywords : kbnetwork Technology : kbWinNTsearch kbWinNTWsearch kbWinNTW400 kbWinNTW400search kbWinNT350search kbWinNT400search kbWinNTW350 kbWinNTW350search kbWinNTSsearch kbWinNTS400search kbWinNTS400 kbWinNTS350 kbWinNTS350search Version : winnt:3.5,4.0 ============================================================================= 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 2001.