#15 NSP Looping con-confirm state?

[johnd]

dnprogs 2.50.1-9.1 openSUSE (installed from: download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/reinauer/openSUSE_11.3/)

Background:
Node: mhs1 (49.152) - OpenVMS V8.3 (DECnet V8.3 -ECO 3) - Initiator
Cluster Alias 49.153
Node: johnlx (49.101) - openSUSE 11.3 - responder
Routerless Network (ie. all End Systems)

Environment to provoke this behaviour:
On Node mhs1 (Session Control Application FAL Outgoing Alias = True)
$ dir johnlx"root pwd"::

tcpdump/Wireshark trace shows that DECnet for Linux tries to respond using the Cluster Alias Network Address (as the Ethernet address).
The problem is that even after the initiator has abandoned the connection attempt the decnet for Linux implementation attempts to send the connection-confirm to a system that will never answer. Rather than sending this response only once or n times, the decnet for Linux implementation does not want give up the attempt (ie. loop).

# dnetstat displays these 'zombie' ports with a state of CONCONFIRM

[johnd]

tcpdump/wireshark Trace