BUG: Error "Unexpected EOF" May Occur Under Dbmsrpc3.dll

• Microsoft SQL Server, versions 4.2x, 6.0, and 6.5

SYMPTOMS

If it uses the 16-bit Multi-Protocol Net-Library, a DB-Library application may return the following errors when running queries through multiple concurrent connections:

   DB-Library: Unexpected EOF from SQL Server
   Net-Library error 81: ConnectionClose(RPCClose())
   DB-Library process dead - Connection broken.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use other network IPCs such as named pipes, sockets, or IPX/SPX.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server version 6.5. 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.

MORE INFORMATION

This error occurs only under some very special situations where the application is stressed with multiple concurrent connections, all of which are busy running queries continuously. Both network performance and timing are crucial for the problem to occur. Under normal situations, you should not encounter this problem.