[leafnode-list] Re: xinetd per_source limit routinely exceeded by certain hosts

Bulgrien, Kevin Kevin.Bulgrien at TriPointGlobal.com
Fri Sep 30 20:34:28 CEST 2005


> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
> leafnode-list-bounces+kevin.bulgrien=tripointglobal.com at dt.e-t
echnik.uni-dortmund.de [mailto:leafnode-list->
bounces+kevin.bulgrien=tripointglobal.com at dt.e-technik.uni-dor
> tmund.de] On Behalf Of Bulgrien, Kevin
> Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 10:16 AM
> To: leafnode-list at dt.e-technik.uni-dortmund.de
> Subject: [leafnode-list] xinetd per_source limit routinely 
> exceeded by certain hosts
> 
> 
> I know this borders on off-topic, but does anyone have any ideas about
> whether there is a way to configure Outlook Express to not be 
> so heavy-handed?  Yes, I know, do not use Outlook Express... but you
> know how that goes over sometimes.  Most hosts do not cause trouble,
> but a few are regular rabble-rousers.
> 
> Our site uses local news only.  I get these messages in the logs:
> 
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.60
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.114
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp per_source_limit from=192.168.128.128
>  xinetd[28334]: FAIL: nntp connections per second from=192.168.128.128

I am now fairly certain that these messages are caused by a particular
use of the Outlook Express "Synchronization Settings" check boxes for
the news account.

The way I check local newsgroups for new messages is to set up only the
first group with the "Synchronization Settings" check box checked.  I
use the "Synchronize Account" button to check all subscribed groups for
new messages.

Outlook Express allows you to select the synchronization behavior such
that it will synchronize (or download) all message headers and bodies,
new message headers only, or new message headers and bodies.

Basically, you have to pick your poison (who would have expected less
for a product made by this company).  You can either have customized
synchronization settings for all local groups, or you can have error
free operation, but you must now click the message or an extra link in
the preview pane to download the message body.

The thing is, if you do not have at least one newsgroup synchronization
settings box checked, you will get a "nothing to synchronize" error when
you use the "Synchronize Accounts" button.  In spite of this error, the
new message headers are still downloaded.

I was stymied by this issue because only a few users tripped the per
source limit.  I think this is because only a few users have more than
n (where n is the per_source limit) Synchronization Settings checkboxes
marked.  When I was messing around with something else today, I started
getting the per_source limit exceeded symptoms.  The only thing I had
done of significance was to have checked more group Synchronization
Setting boxes.

I wonder if this problem is possibly related primarily to local groups
because the round-trip time for client/server connections is very fast
since the client and server are connected on a fast network connection.
Most non-local group usage would be slower when gated by the Internet.
I do not know, but it is a theory anyway.

--- 
Kevin R. Bulgrien
Design and Development Engineer

General Dynamics C4 Systems                   http://www.tripointglobal.com/
VertexRSI
1915 Harrison Road                                    Tel: 903-295-1480 x288
Longview, TX 75604-5438                               Fax: 903-295-1479



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