Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!FORNAX.ECE.CMU.EDU!mathis
From: mathis@FORNAX.ECE.CMU.EDU (Matt Mathis)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip
Subject: Domain Name Screaming
Message-ID: <8906292105.AA07216@fornax.ece.cmu.edu>
Date: 29 Jun 89 21:05:46 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 19

Does anybody have a description of the bug (and fix) of the interaction
between Yellow Pages and the Domain Name System?  This bug causes some
systems to send DNS requests at high rates for sustained periods in response
to remote DNS server or network failures.   High rates means typically 20
per second for workstations.   I have clocked some at as much as 100 pps!
Needless to say this is hard on gateways, and disaster to people behind
56k links.

I have a vague description, so I don't need another.  What I really want is a
document which I can hand to the administrator of some wayward host and
say "Fix this or else turn it off."  Needless to say some of said
host administrators are running broken "plug and play" systems, and need
pretty explicit directions.

Also, it would be extremely useful if someone has a remote test bed which can
be pointed at a suspect host to determine if it has the bug.

Thanks,
--MM--