Exchange Server loses network connectivity

[sslevy]

once a week we seem to have to reboot our email server. I have checked our event logs and do not see anything out of the ordinary.

our email server is:
dual 2ghz xeon proc
poweredge 2600 dell
1gig ram
4 36gb hd in scsi raid 5 config
compaq 12/24 dat tape drive.

running win2k w/SP 4
exchange 2000 w/SP3
symantec antivirus client
symantec mail filtering 3.0 for exchange

any reason why this might be happening
we also get a virtual memory low message but the virtual memory is 4 gig max, and not on the system partition.

any help would be most appreciated.

 

[netometer]

Hi!
Can you open Task Manager next time when you get this message for virtual memory low. Go to processes, click Vie/Select columns and check the box for virtual memory size. Then check who is taking so much virtual memory – my guess would be that it is inetinfo.exe.

Tell us what the result is!

NetoMeter

http://www.netometer.net

 

[chrisstyles]

First thing you might want to do is update your network drivers for the NIC.

When it drops off the Network, try pinging it from another machine. Also try pinging another server from your ex box.

Also look at the hardware that is connecting your network. Might be the switch is partioning the port for some reason (faulty port or Nic). If its a manged switch, take a look at the port stats and see if there are any errors.

Doesn't explain the VM warning though. How much VM do you have on the system partition as opposed the the VM on the other(s)?

Chris Styles

NT4/2000 MCSE

 

[sslevy]

currently we have no vm set on our system partition
i have 1535-4096 set on our d: drive which is our other partition.

Should I have a page file set on our system partition as well?

I put the virtual memory column on the task manager. Currently the stores.exe is occupying the largest virtual memory chunk followed by lsass.exe and inetinfo.exe

AS for the network driver..Dell as an updated driver which i will install as soon as i can schedule a small maintenance window.. these people are hounds if they dont' have their email. I might come in early tomorrow or thursday to update it.

 

[chrisstyles]

I normally leave some VM on the system drive, read somwhere in the distant past that this is preferred, the amount is going to depend on your server, try a few hundred meg if you can spare it.

Store and Inetinfo should be way up there on an ex box.

Our Store runs at 1.4Gb with Inetinfo at 81Mb Lsass.exe though I don't think should be that high, ours runs at 11Mb. MAD should also be quite high. You can cap the amount of memory store uses if you find that it's taking too much.

Have a read of..

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308356

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;828297

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers

Chris


Chris Styles

NT4/2000 MCSE

 

[sslevy]

we have gotten it again,

its seems that our Symantec Mail Filter for Exchange is the culprit... I may have to disable scanning.

Its smsectrl.exe that says its using vm size 1,323,548
i may have to not have it scan anything but only catch new mail thats coming in.

 

[chrisstyles]

That's defo the culprit, probably a memory leak in the process.

Check the obvious then, patches new releases etc. Then get onto them.

DO NOT disable any functionality, remember you paid for it so expect it to work!

If you discontinue the product, try Groupshield from Network Associates

http://www.nai.com

I've had a few issues as with all exchange plugins (Mailsweeper included) but is a very good product.

Cheers

Chris

Chris Styles

NT4/2000 MCSE

 

[sslevy]

There is a solution, I went to Symantec's website and searched for memory leak...

here is what they say, however, I got this software from our head office and I want to make sure we have platinum support to get the build update.

>>>Memory leak in Smsectrl.exe with Symantec AntiVirus/Filtering 3.0 for Microsoft Exchange installed

Situation:
You installed Symantec AntiVirus/Filtering 3.0 for Microsoft Exchange (AV/F for Exchange) on a server. The process Smsectrl.exe slowly increases in memory usage until the server halts or you restart the Symantec AntiVirus/Filtering for Microsoft Exchange 2000 service.


Solution:
You may need two updates to resolve this problem. Update the Symantec product to AV/F Exchange 3.05.10.109. Update Windows to Service Pack 4 when the installation is on a Windows 2000 computer.

Please contact Symantec technical support to obtain the latest build of AV/F Exchange when you experience the memory leak in the Smsectrl.exe process. Go to the section appropriate for you