Gigabyte Network Running Slow

[Jay]

I have a mixed network of 100 MBit and GBit. However, everything is running as it were on 100 Mbit only. The central connection point is a TrendNet GBit switch. But according to AnalogX's Network Monitor, I am getting only 100 MBit.

All the wires run are Cat5e, which I believe can handle the extra speed, so not sure what might be causing the slowdown. Any suggestions on hot to trouble shoot.

The network is a Windows environment.

Here's the topographyof the network.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Have you physically checked each of the clients to see what they are connecting at?

 

[Jay]

I've set all the clients to 1000MBit Full Duplex that are on a GBit NIC. Between the server and any client, only get a 75 MBit average connection. Between two machines (Family Room and Workstation), I'm get from 200-300 MBit connection.

Might need to run a new cable to the server, but even the conection between two other machines is somewhat slow compared to expected. But all files are shared from the server, so that's what I need to troubleshoot.

 

[Crusty]

Put everything back on auto-negotiate, changing them only pisses off your switch. Replace any hand crimped cables with factory made cables, and check to make sure any in wall cables are terminated into a keystone jack.

How long are your cable runs?

BTW, your link doesn't work in Firefox. From the looks of your setup, all of the computers off of the switch are getting public IP's from the modem and don't have a firewall? Or is your modem actually a modem+router combo?

200mbps-300mbps = 25-37.5MB/s Which is pretty good for an old school 80GB drive transferring over the network. I wouldn't expect much more out of it, but the other slower connections aren't right which is why I brought up the cables.

 

[Jay]

Crusty....check the diagram, I corrected the cable modem connection. The Buffalo Wireless G router is actually acting as a DHCP server (no way I was getting that many public IPs from the cable company).

OK, I'll convert all the NICS back to auto negotiate. All my cables are hand crimped since I run them through basement/attic, etc. The run between the server and the workstation is about 10 ft each from the switch. I'll run another cable to the server and see if that opens up that bottleneck. BTW, the server is running 2x250 GB PATA drives, surely the 78 MBits isn't the maximum for those drives?

I don't use FF, I use Chrome for most sites and IE for any that don't like Chrome.

 

[JackMDS]

What the OS that the so call server is using?

When all computers are running peer to peer the ones that are plugged directly to the Giga switch and has Giga NIC should run what is called "Giga Speed" 1GHz is the speed that the chips on the NIC theoretically can handle it is Not the Network Bandwidth.

On what is called Giga Network running Client OS' (none server OS), and End-User Hardware.

25 - 35MB/sec. (B-Byte, b=bit, 1Byte=8bits) is the typical performance of Giga Home Network. (about 3-4 times more than typical 100Mb/sec. LAN).

The max I ever achieved with regular hardware and none server Windows is 48MB/sec.

Make sure that your TCP/IP Stack is optimized and push the Rwin to twice the size recommeneded for your Internet "Speed".

Optimizing the TCP/IP Stack - http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html

 

[Jay]

Server is running Win2000 Server.

 

[spidey07]

Don't use homemade cables. That is highly likely the cause of your slow performance.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Jay
All my cables are hand crimped since I run them through basement/attic, etc.

Don't do any crimping. At the end of each long run, put a jack. Then attach a commercial patch cable between the jack and the PC or switch.

Also be sure you've connected all eight wires when wiring. All eight are needed for Gigabit connections.

 

[Jay]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
All eight are needed for Gigabit connections.

I did not know that. Learned something new. But I use the same combination in my patch cables. But I'll pick up a factory made cable and see what happens.

 

[Jay]

Put in a commercial patch cable between the server and the Switch, still only getting about 65-80 MBits transfer between the Server and the Workstation. If I transfer files between the Workstation and the Family Room, I'm getting 200-300 MBits. Perhaps the issue might be with the NIC?

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

You sure do have a lot of devices connected to your internet.

 

[Jay]

It didn't really hit me until I sat down and did the Viso chart on my network. I also have a part time PSP access the network, though my son has stopped that once he got online with the XBOX 360. The 2 Tivo's will come off in November as I will not be renewing the subscriptions (rather have HTPC with PVR capabilities) which is what I am shooting for.

Luckily only 2-3 pcs are on at a time, no 24x7 for me (except the server).