FTPSVC: Delay Receiving FTP Directory Annotation and Prompt

• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you logon to a very busy Windows NT 3.51 ftp server, you experience a delay receiving the directory annotation and ftp prompt (after you enter your password).

Network Performance Monitor (PERFMON.EXE) shows the number of ftp server current connections increasing, but the number of anonymous users logged on decreasing. The system normally recovers within a few minutes.

CAUSE

The FTP service was modified for Windows NT version 3.51 to provide directory annotation of the ftp root directory at logon. The calls used to do this annotation involved unnecessary file locking, especially when no ~ftpsvc~.ckm (directory annotation) file existed in the ftp root directory.

RESOLUTION

To correct this problem, install the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT version 3.51.

Microsoft corrected this problem in the modified file, FTPSVC.DLL. This fix improves logon performance by optimizing the directory annotation code so it does less file locking.

NOTE: This fix was tested on ftp.microsoft.com, which performs over 50,000 anonymous ftp logons per day.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 3.51. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Windows NT version 3.51. 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