RepliStor and MSDTC component

Question

One of customers currently operates RepliStor 6.2.3.9 on two nodes, replicating one folder of information from source to target.

A few days ago, the source server has had some Windows updates installed on it. Since then RepliStor has occasionally been behaving oddly. Symptoms including the server service stopping randomly. The target server has not got the Windows updates installed and is currently running unaffected.

It is believed that these updates may have had an effect on RepliStor, particularly the MSDTC component. What the developers wish to know is if RepliStor utilises the Windows MSDTC component in any way.

I have been unable to fin any related information regarding RepliStor and MSDTC online. Is there a know issue? I know that there is SQL Server support in RepliStor, so I guessing that this should be a problem.

dramjass · Answer

RepliStor does not have any dependencies on MSDTC, nor does it use it for any kind of operations.

Currently, there are no known issues with RepliStor and MSDTC.
RepliStor has a module and supports the replication of SQL DB's. However, this does not mean that it will have issues with that service.

If the problem is re-producible, the following will need to be collected:
- Current version of MSDTC before the issue is seen.
- Version of MSDTC after the symptoms are seen.

I would also advise that an upgrade be done to 6.3 SP2 as there have been a series of product updates done from 6.3.2.9.

smaf · Answer

Just to give a bit of an update since the initial probloem:

Windows patch MS09-012 was installed on the production server on 12th May and it was since then, there have been irregular 'faulting application' errors on the RepliStpor service resulting in the service crashing.

At the same time, their backup server did not have this patch installed and no issues have occured on the backup server.

This patch has since been removed from the production server and the problems have gone away. Looking at the details for MS09-012, it seems there are 'Vulnerabilities in Windows could allow elevation of privilege'. Any idea what those privileges could be and how they affect RepliStor?

dramjass · Answer

Currently, there are no known issues with the RepliStor Server (rep_srv.exe) service as of today. Initially, I do not see how privileges would affect the service, especially being related to MSDTC.

I would suggest the following:
- Update to 6.3 SP2
- Install the MS09-12 patch
- Monitor for the rep_srv.exe faulting issues.
- If they persist, configure DrWtsn32 to take a Full memory dump of the process when it crashes.

If the same issue occurs at that version, please open a support case so the dump can be reviewed and the issue resolved.

Duncan

Replication Manager

RepliStor and MSDTC component

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