Problem:
SQL Applications frequently time out reporting a communications link failure, and that the remote server has reset the connection. This can be observed for any application that uses the SQL server, either through ODBC or directly connected.
According to microsoft:
This problem occurs because the TCP Chimney Offload feature is enabled on the server. The TCP Chimney Offload feature is enabled by the Windows Server 2003 Scalable Networking Pack.
Typically, this problem occurs when the network adapter uses the Broadcom 5708 chipset. For example, the following network adapters use the Broadcom 5708 chipset:
* Broadcom NetXtreme II
* Hewlett-Packard NC373i Multifunction Gigabit Server Adapter
The resolution is to update drivers, which may or may not help. If you still end up having the same problem it is possible to disable several advanced networking features as a workaround. Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942861
To work around this problem, disable the TCP Chimney Offload feature. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press ENTER.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:
Netsh int ip set chimney DISABLED
Note You do not have to restart the server after you run this command.
If the performance of Windows Server 2003 decreases after you disable the TCP Chimney Offload feature, follow these additional steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type Regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters
3. Double-click the EnableTCPChimney registry entry.
4. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 0 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
5. Double-click the EnableRSS registry entry.
6. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 0 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
7. Double-click the EnableTCPA registry entry.
8. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, type 0 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
9. Restart the server.