XFOR: Chat Server 2.0 Can Fail with Extremely Heavy Usage

Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.5

SYMPTOMS

When an extremely high number of users log on and off the Microsoft Internet Chat Server version 2.0 in a short period of time, the Chat Server can silently stop without writing an error to the Event log. The Chat Server can also produce an application exception in CHATSVC.

CAUSE

This problem was found when a stress test application was written with Visual Basic and the Chat.ocx. The application logged users on and off without actually simulating a chat dialog. When run against Internet Chat Server 1.0, the server generated an error indicating that the NICK was already in use. This means that the user is connected but not logged on. The Internet Chat Server 2.0 did not process authentication messages correctly when the NICK was already in use.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the following fix or wait for the next Exchange 5.5 service pack.

This fix should have the following time stamp:

      xx/xx/xx  xx:xx               xxx,xxx xxxxxxx.xxx (Intel)

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange version 5.5. 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.

Keywords          : XFOR kbbuglist
Version           : WinNT:5.5
Platform          : WINDOWS
Hardware          : ALPHA PPC x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbpatch