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MSDTC

The Ports and protocols used by Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator.

The Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) service is a component of modern versions of Microsoft Windows that is responsible for coordinating transactions spanning across multiple resource managers such as databases, message queues, and file systems.
  • MSDTC is included in Windows 2000 and later operating systems.
  • MSDTC performs the transaction coordination role for components, usually with COM and .NET architectures.

In MSDTC terminology, the director is called the transaction manager.

MSDTC uses Remote Procedure Call (RPC) dynamic port allocation. By default, RPC dynamic port allocation randomly selects port numbers above 1024 and port 135 (the RPC Endpoint Mapper port).

MSDTC relies on NetBIOS. Make sure the NetBIOS ports are open. For further details about the ports, refer to the NetBIOS section.

Used by:
  • Content Manager End User components
  • Content Manager Author components
  • Content Manager Database
Settings:
  1. Create the following registry key to narrow down the port range assigned to RPC (used by MSDTC). Define this range as necessary. for example: 5000-6000. Note that you have to open these ports on the firewall as well.
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Rpc\Internet]
    "Ports"="hex(7):35,00,30,00,30,00,30,00,2d,00,36,00,30,00,30,00,30,00,00,00,00,00"
    "PortsInternetAvailable"="Y"
    "UseInternetPorts"="Y"
    You can use a registry editor like Regedit.exe to create the Ports key. Create the key in the correct registry location, assign it a Multi-String value type, then set it to 5000–6000.
  2. Match the open ports in your firewall settings
    WhatProtocolPortDirection
    Outbound 5000TCP5000IN/OUT
    Outbound 5001TCP5001IN/OUT
    Outbound 5002TCP5002IN/OUT
    Outbound 5003TCP5003IN/OUT
    Outbound ...TCP...IN/OUT
    Outbound 5999TCP5999IN/OUT
    Outbound 6000TCP6000IN/OUT
    Outbound 135TCP135IN/OUT