Setting BDC to be WINS Proxy Agent May Cause Broadcast Storms

Last reviewed: September 4, 1996
Article ID: Q127922

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5

SYMPTOMS

IP broadcast storms can occur when non-WINS clients attempt to log on if Enable WINS Proxy Agent is selected in the Advanced configuration dialog box on a Windows NT version 3.5 Backup Domain Controller (BDC).

CAUSE

The WINS proxy code does not check to see if the datagram it receives is from another WINS proxy agent. This allows the same datagrams to be repeatedly forwarded.

This problem occurs only if the BDC is a WINS proxy agent.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, configure another server to be the WINS proxy agent.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.5. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT version 3.5. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbbug3.50 kbfix3.50.sp3
KBSubcategory: ntnetserv
Additional reference words: 3.50 internet naming service prodnt

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Last reviewed: September 4, 1996
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