Conduit.exe Process Use High CPU Several Times Per Hour

Products

• Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange

Issue/Introduction

The conduit.exe process uses 50 percent to 80 percent CPU for brief periods (15-45 seconds).  This behavior is seen several times per hour. The following is an example of this type of behavior:

Use the performance counter set from this article to validate this behavior: How to enable Performance Monitor Logging for Symantec Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange (SMSMSE).

NOTE:  If the CPU utilization characteristics are different than this see the related articles below for instances that could cause that behavior.  If you are unsure open a case with Symantec Technical Support.

Cause

The conduit.exe process downloads AntiSpam rules from Symantec.  When new rules are found they are downloaded and processed. 

Resolution

The processing of the rules is CPU intensive and this is expected behavior.

 

Applies To

• AntiSpam is enabled

1. Open the SMSMSE Administration Console.
2. Click on the Policies tab.
3. Click on Views|Antispam|Premium AntiSpam Settings.
4. If the checkbox Enable Symantec Premium AntiSpam is checked then this condition is met.