Knowledge Base

WinNT 4.0 DNS Only Binds to a Maximum of 15 IP Addresses

Article ID: 162868

Article Last Modified on 11/1/2006

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q162868

SYMPTOMS

A Windows NT 4.0 Domain Name Service (DNS) server fails to respond to name queries when there are more than 15 IP addresses bound to the Microsoft DNS service.

CAUSE

The DNS server has a hard-coded limit so that it can only bind to 15 IP addresses.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 U.S. Service Pack. 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

MORE INFORMATION

Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 2 and later no longer includes a hard-coded limit. The limit was in place originally because the DNS server opens a socket for every IP address it binds to, consuming resources. There is a significant memory expense to each one. Customers should be encouraged to use the minimum necessary bindings for best performance.

When this occurs, you may see the following error message in the system log in Event Viewer:
Event 410
The DNS Server is limited to listening on 15 IP addresses. This server is configured with more than 15 IP addresses, so the DNS server has used the first 15 and will only respond to queries on these addresses. Use the Interfaces dialog under Server Properties in the DNS admin tool to edit the list of IP interfaces to 15 or fewer addresses on which you wish the DNS to answer queries.

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbnetwork KB162868


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