DFS client computers that are joined to a DFS domain controller cannot use site costing, and the Time to Live value is larger than expected in Windows Server 2003 (888831)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition for Itanium-based Systems
Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition for Itanium-based Systems

SYMPTOMS

When you enable site costing on a Microsoft Windows Server 2003-based Distributed File System (DFS) domain controller, DFS client computers that are joined to the domain controller cannot use the /sitecosting switch in the DFS utility (Dfsutil.exe). Additionally, the Time to Live (TTL) value that is reported in the Partition Knowledge Table (PKT) on the DFS client computers may be a very large random number instead of the expected 900.

Note The TTL value represents time in seconds.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, you must apply a hotfix to the domain controller. Apply the hotfix that is mentioned in the following article:

827649 TTL value from a Windows Server 2003-based domain controller is larger than expected

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, take either of the following actions:

Manually clear the local DFS referral cache on the DFS client computer. To do this, use the /pktflush switch in Dfsutil.exe.

To download Dfsutil.exe, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=82e8dec3-c7a3-4b5b-9ff1-fd01b0203dc1&displaylang=en
For more information about Dfsutil.exe syntax, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/06894C4E-AFF0-4966-B794-E160839C3CE81033.mspx
Restart the DFS client computer.

MORE INFORMATION

An abnormally high TTL value prevents DFS client computers that are joined to a Windows Server 2003-based DFS domain controller from using site costing. For example, assume that the DFS referral entry for sanjose.corp.cohovineyard.com\Sysvol shows a TTL value of 19725673. This value represents 19,725,673 seconds, or 228 days. The DFS client computer will be prevented from using site costing for 228 days or until one of the following events causes the DFS client computer to update the DFS referral entry:

The DFS client computer is restarted.
Dfsutil.exe flushes the Partition Knowledge Table.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	6/20/2006
Keywords:	kbwinservnetwork kbFilePrintservices kbtshoot KB888831 kbAudITPRO