Troubleshooting eCommerce Workflow when servers are on different domains

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If workflow is not working properly, check to see that the servers are on the same domain. If they are not, then you must be sure that the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) is configured to communicate between servers in other domains.This article explains how to do this.

Workflow Transactions

If workflow is not working properly, check to see that the servers are on the same domain. If they are not, then you must be sure that the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) is configured to communicate between servers in other domains.
MSDTC is used to assure that workflow transaction information persists into the database which allows it to restore information if needed later. It runs on all servers in your eCommerce configuration.

Note: The Default TCP port used by MSDTC.EXE is 3372. For more information about working on firewall or port conflicts, see this Microsoft Knowledgebase article - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306843.

To resolve MSDTC permissions issues follow these steps.

Step 1 - Change the LMHOSTS file on your servers

  1. Find the file lmhosts.sam located in \windows\system32\drivers\etc\lmhosts.sam .
  2. Copy and paste it into the same directory.
    This creates a new file called copy of lmhosts.sam.
  3. Rename the copy to lmhosts.
    (Note that there is no extension for this filename.)
  4. Edit this file with Notepad and add the ip address and name of your server that communicates with this server.
    For example, on the Web server, we enter the address and name of the database server.
    10.0.0.2     proddb1
  5. Save your changes.
  6. Repeat these steps for Web and database servers in your eCommerce configuration.

Step 2 - Change MSDTC Settings on your servers

Changing MSDTC for Windows XP or Windows Server 2003

  1. Follow these steps.
  2. Click Windows Start Run.
  3. Enter dcomcnfg then click Ok.
    This opens the Component Services window.

 Component1

4.  Right click on My Computer then choose Properties.
5.  Click the Security Configuration... button (circled below).

  Component2

6.  Check the settings as shown below. 

  Component3

7.  Click OK when finished.

Changing MSDTC for Vista or Windows Server 2008

Follow these steps.

  1. Click Windows Start.
  2. Enter dcomcnfg in the Start Search box and hit Enter.
  3. This opens the Component Services window.

  Component4

4.  Right click on Local DTC then choose Properties. 
5.  Click the Security Tab. 
6.  In the Local DTC Properties window, configure the settings as shown below.

  Component5

7. Click Ok when finished.

8. For more tools and tips to troubleshoot MSDTC once it has been configured click here.

CMS400.Net Reference Manual
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306843