ARP Cache Entries May Not Time Out for 10 Minutes (166750)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
- Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q166750 SYMPTOMS
If the media access control address changes for an IP address that a
Windows NT computer is communicating with, the Windows NT computer may not
be able to communicate to or through the device for up to 10 minutes.
CAUSE
Windows NT 4.0 offers a configurable ArpCacheLife registry parameter. This
parameter controls the arpcache life for entries that are not being
referenced in the arpcache. Windows NT computers reference an arpcache
entry each time an outbound IP packet is sent to the address described by
the entry.
Entries being referenced time out after 10 minutes, and this time out
value is not adjustable. If you are communicating with a device that has
some form of hardware fail-over capability that does not update the
arpcache on the other devices on the network, its media access control
address may change, and if there is a steady stream of traffic being
directed at it by applications on a Windows NT computer, the arpcache
entry may not time out for this 10 minute period.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, either obtain the hotfix mentioned in the STATUS
section of this article, or wait for the next Windows NT service pack.
NOTE: Service Pack 3 must be applied to Windows NT 4.0 before applying
the hotfix.
The hotfix should have the following timestamp:
(i386) 12/01/97 04:24p 143,632 Tcpip.sys
(alpha) 12/01/97 04:21p 263,472 Tcpip.sys
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0.
A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested
and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem.
Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft
recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix.
Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.
Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 9/23/2005 |
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Keywords: | kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbnetwork KB166750 |
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