Problem copying large files between Vista SP1 and 2003 Server R2

[TheNoble06]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone else has had any trouble copying large files (2Gb upwards) from Vista PCs to Windows 2003 shares?

I've just tried copying a 3Gb .pst file from a Vista PC to a share on a Windows 2003 fileserver - and the server hung for about 5 minutes while the file was copied across.

However - I've tried a similar test (a 2Gb .pst file) from a XP SP2 client - and it appears the copy went through OK.

I'm going to do a little more testing from various clients - but I was wondering if any body else had come across the same problems.

 

[Davetoo]

The problem is with Vista. SP1 alleviates the issue to an extent. This is not a server issue.

I'm Certifiable, not cert-ified.
It just means my answers are from experience, not a book.

There are no more PDC's! There are DC's with FSMO roles!

 

[TheNoble06]

Ta for the reply Dave,

When you say SP1 fixes this to an extent - I guess it is not a complete fix then. We have 100 or so Vista PCs on site - and we are rolling out SP1 - we are about 50% through now. However it seems this problem happens on most clients - be it SP1 or not.

I suppose a hotfix by Microsoft or something similar would be too much to ask?

A

 

[porkchopexpress]

As Dave says it's not an issue with the server it's to do with changes to the Windows network stack and the way Windows copies files in Vista.

Microsofts Mark Russinovich has posted quite a good blog explaining the issues.

http://blogs.technet.com/markrussinovich/archive/2008/02/04/2826167.aspx

 

[porkchopexpress]

The original Vista copy engine would deliver a high-speed copy, but, because of the out-of-order I/O problem I mentioned earlier, trigger pathologic behavior in the Server 2003 Cache Manager that could cause all of the server’s memory to be filled with copied file data.

 

[58sniper]

The most compelling reason many of our clients haven't gone to Vista yet. File copying blows.

Pat Richard MVP

 

[TheNoble06]

Quote:
The original Vista copy engine would deliver a high-speed copy, but, because of the out-of-order I/O problem I mentioned earlier, trigger pathologic behavior in the Server 2003 Cache Manager that could cause all of the server's memory to be filled with copied file data.

Does that mean that an increase in memory on the Windows 2003 server might relieve the issue slightly? Also - after doing some more testing - this also does appear to happen when copying large files from XP SP2 to the 2003 Server, although not as often.