> Source: [sk182559](https://support.checkpoint.com/results/sk/sk182559)

# sk182559 - Connections with fragmented packets drop with "Virt Defrag Timeout" error

| Property | Value |
|----------|-------|
| Solution ID | sk182559 |
| Date Created | 2024-08-01 |
| Last Modified | 2026-07-23 |
| Technical Level | General |
| Products | Scalable Platforms |
| Versions | R82, R81.20, R81.10 (EOS) |
| OS | Gaia |

## Symptoms

- * Connections with fragmented packets drop on Scalable Platform/Maestro when there are multiple active Security Group Members (SGMs) on the site. However, the Scalable Platform does not drop the connections when there is a single active SGM.

* Traffic capture with `g_tcpdump` shows that the SGM, which is not the Single Management Object (SMO), handles the connection, and at some point, some packets are forwarded to the Dynamic Routing (DR) Manager SGM.

* Kernel debug on the **SMO/DR Manager** shows packets are dropped by `"reason: Virt Defrag Timeout"`:

  `
  # fw ctl zdebug + drop `  
  `
  `**[1_01]**` ... sim_pkt_send_drop_notification: (0,0) received drop, reason: Virt Defrag Timeout, conn: Connection tuple;`  
  `
  `**[1_01]**` ... cphwd_notif_packet_dropped: recieved packet dropped notification, reason: Virt Defrag Timeout;
  `

* Kernel debug on the **non-SMO/DR Manager** shows packets are `"dropped by fwfrag_expires Reason: timeout has expired for fragment"`:

  `
  # fw ctl zdebug + drop `  
  `
  `**[1_02]**` ... dropped by fwfrag_expires Reason: timeout has expired for fragment;
  `

* Turning off Layer 4 distribution mode does not resolve the issue.

* Kernel debug on the **non-SMO/DR Manager** shows that packets are forwarded to the DR Manager SGM:

  `
  # fw ctl zdebug -m cluster + correction `  
  `
  `**[1_02]**` ... fwha_ccl_do_correct_by_dr_protocols: ` Should forward Dynamic Routing packet to DR manager;  
  **[1_02]** ... fwha_ccl_do_inbound_correct: Corrected statelessly to member 0 ;

## Cause

As fragmented packets do not hold the port information, the Scalable Platform/Maestro mistakenly handles these packets as Dynamic Routing protocol packets and forwards them to the DR manager SGM.

## Solution

This problem was fixed. The fix is included in:

* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R82](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R82/Default.htm) starting from Take 103
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.20](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.20/Default.htm) starting from Take 158
* [Jumbo Hotfix Accumulator for R81.10](https://sc1.checkpoint.com/documents/Jumbo_HFA/R81.10/Default.htm) starting from Take 177

If you choose not to upgrade, Check Point can supply a **Hotfix** . [Contact Check Point Support](https://www.checkpoint.com/support-services/contact-support/) to get a Hotfix for this issue.  
A Support Engineer will make sure the Hotfix is compatible with your environment before providing the Hotfix.  
For faster resolution and verification, please collect [CPinfo files](http://supportcontent.checkpoint.com/solutions?id=sk92739) from the Security Management Server and Security Gateways involved in the case.

**Hotfix installation instructions:**   
Refer to [sk168597 - How to install a Hotfix](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk168597).

<br />

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