DOCUMENT:Q142903  24-OCT-1996  [winnt]
TITLE   :Windows NT Ndis and Netflx3 Performance Improvement
PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows NT
PROD/VER:4.00
OPER/SYS:WINDOWS
KEYWORDS:kbnetwork

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0 Service Pack 1
 - Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0 Service Pack 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Microsoft has developed an enhancement to Windows NT that allows a computer 
with at least two CPUs and at least two Compaq NetFlex network cards to 
significantly improve network performance.

Previously, the network driver interrupt moderation on Symmetric Multi-Processor 
(SMP) computers did not receive adequate information regarding CPU utilization.  

To improve the network performance, obtain the enhancement mentioned below or 
wait for the next Windows NT Service Pack.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Ndis.sys and Netflx3.sys have been modified to enhance performance. The new Netflex3 
driver has an improved interrupt moderation algorithm based on the server CPU utilization
in addition to the frame rate. The improved interrupt moderation helps reduce the amount
of server CPU usage for processing interrupts, especially on a busy server.

The new Netflx3 driver is only available for the Intel platform whereas Ndis.sys is 
available for Intel and Risc platforms. 

This enhancement is currently only available as a "hotfix" and has been posted to the 
following Internet location:

ftp://ftp.microsoft.com/bussys/winnt/winnt-public/fixes/usa/NT40/hotfixes-postSP1/ndis-fix

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this feature to be lacking in Windows NT version 4.0, Service 
Pack 1. A supported enhancement is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested 
and should be applied only to systems requiring this new feature. Unless you are 
severely impacted by the lack of this feature, Microsoft recommends that you wait for 
the next Service Pack that contains this enhancement. Contact Microsoft Product Support 
Services for more information.

KBCategory: kbnetwork kbbug4.00.sp1
KBSubcategory: ntnetserv ntdriver
Additional reference words: prodnt 4.00 

============================================================================
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS
PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  IN NO
EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF
MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION
OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES
SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1996.