Memory Leak in SQL Server 6.0 Affects SMS

• Microsoft Systems Management Server versions 1.0 and 1.1

SYMPTOMS

Windows NT running Systems Management Server may experience the following:

   - Gradually run out of virtual memory causing slowed performance.

   - Stopped processing of alerts, jobs, and other critical functions
     of Systems Management Server.

CAUSE

The problems can occur on systems running any one of the following combinations:

   - Windows NT 3.5x with Systems Management Server 1.1 and SQL 4.21a
   - Windows NT 3.5x with Systems Management Server 1.1 and SQL 6.0

The account being used to connect to SQL Server has an out-of-date password. When Systems Management Server processes attempt to connect to SQL Server using an out-of-date password, the SQL 6.0 NTWDBLIB.DLL's dbopen() function leaks 32K. Because Systems Management Server processes attempt to connect quite often to perform processing, memory can be consumed at a rapid rate until the system runs out of virtual memory. The "Unable to allocate virtual memory" error message appears.

RESOLUTION

To avoid the memory leak, ensure that the password set in SQL matches the password being used by the Systems Management Server processes. Logon failures caused by a password problem can render the site inoperable.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft SQL Server version 6.0. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.