Fast Forward and Rewind Cause Orphaned Stream Through HTTP Proxy (202586)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Services 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows Media Services 4.1

This article was previously published under Q202586

SYMPTOMS

When Windows Media Player clients behind an HTTP proxy or firewall attempt to fast forward or rewind a video or audio stream, connections to the proxy server appear to build up over time.

CAUSE

In some cases in which a Windows Media Player client is located behind a firewall, the client may not be able to properly indicate the termination of a fast forward or rewind request when streaming from a Windows Media server. If a client makes multiple rewind or fast forward requests, this results in the creation of multiple streams. If the client is unable to indicate the termination of a fast forward or rewind request, then these streams may orphan and continue to stream until the proxy times out the connection.

WORKAROUND

Adjust the timeout value that the proxy uses to terminate connections so that unused connections are cleared more quickly. Consult your proxy documentation for information on how to do this.

MORE INFORMATION

Given time, most proxy servers will time out the orphaned streams. This should not be a problem under normal usage of the player unless there are many requests for fast forwards and rewinds.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/24/2003
Keywords:kbpending kbprb KB202586