How can I reduce the delay when using multiple redirectors?

John Savill

March 4, 1999

1 Min Read
ITPro Today logo in a gray background | ITPro Today

A. The MUP (Multiple UNC Provider) first establishes whetherDistributed File System (Dfs) is in use and passes the request to DFS.

The delays come from two locations:

  1. The attempt to access the resource through DFS

  2. The MUP must wait and accept all responses from all redirectors beforecompleting the request. Therefore, even if a resource is readily available andaccessible over one redirector, the request must still be made over the otherinstalled redirectors before the request completes.

Depending on the number of redirectors, protocols, and timer configurationsfor connectivity, these delays can exceed 13 seconds for each initialconnection.

Service Pack 4 for Windows NT 4.0 has introduced an updated MUP.SYS givingbetter performance and a new registry entry which may speed up the initialconnect to non-Windows UNC resources, DisableDFS. Perform the following changeon each client:

  1. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)

  2. Move to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesMup

  3. From the Edit menu select New - DWORD value

  4. Enter a name of 'DisableDFS' (don't enter the quotes) and press enter

  5. Double click the new value and set to 1. Click OK

  6. Close the registry editor

  7. Reboot the machine

Setting the DisableDFS value to 0 or deleting will set the machine back toits old behaviour.

If you have the Novell IntranetWare client also installed you must alsoperform the following before rebooting:

  1. Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)

  2. Move toHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesNetwareWorkstationNetworkProvider

  3. Double click DeviceName and change from 'DeviceNetwareWorkstation' to'DeviceNetwareRedirector'. Click OK

  4. Close the registry editor

Knowledge base article Q171386 athttp://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q171/3/86.asphas more information on this.

About the Author

Sign up for the ITPro Today newsletter
Stay on top of the IT universe with commentary, news analysis, how-to's, and tips delivered to your inbox daily.

You May Also Like