Home server problems

[mect]

I recently used an old PIII to set up a home file/media server. It is running freespire, and Samba is configured with the default security settings allowing sharing only within the specified workgroup. For the most part, everything works fine, except when I try transferring large files to the server (although I haven't tried transferring to the client). The problem usually occurs when I'm tranfering files around 1-2 gigs in size. It always drops the file at different points, and occasionally it gets the whole file transferred. My guess is that its my router that is the problem, as I've had lots of problems with it in the past, having to reboot it quite frequently. The connection between server and client is wired. I was just wondering if there are other likely possibilities I should look into before trying a new router. I'm at work right now, but the error that I get is that access to the network is denied and then it gives possible reasons for that including that the network location no longer exists. Immediately afterwards I can still browse the network drives. Let me know what you think. I'm pretty new to all this. Thanks.

 

[Madwand1]

You could try a direct connection between two machines, bypassing the router's switch for testing. Most new NICs support auto-crossover, so you could try this with standard patch cables. If they don't link, you'll need to use a crossover cable.

You might also have to manually assign IP addresses and refer to the computers using them.

 

[mect]

I've played around with it a little more, and it doesn't appear to be the router after all. I can transfer files just fine between windows clients, and also from the server to the clients. The only thing that seems to be wrong is tranferring large files from the clients (both running xp home) to the server. I've also noticed that file transfers from client to client or server to client are much faster than client to server. I think I might just try a different linux distribution to see if that helps, but any ideas would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has any recommendations for a linux distro that makes it easy to set up a home file server, I'd appreciate it.

 

[spidey07]

Are you using homemade cables?

 

[mect]

no, they're all purchased cat5 cables where the heads were already attached (I didn't crimp them myself).

 

[spidey07]

It sounds like a cabling problem. Make sure the cables aren't bent/kinked or anything like that.

 

[mect]

even though data flows okay one way but not the other (goes fine server to client but not client to server). Both would be traveling along the same cables. Still, its an easy enough thing to check as a have others. I'll try swapping them out.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: mect
even though data flows okay one way but not the other (goes fine server to client but not client to server). Both would be traveling along the same cables. Still, its an easy enough thing to check as a have others. I'll try swapping them out.

It sure couldn't hurt. Cables are bi-directional, full-duplex....just because it works from one source to destination, doesn't mean it will work in the other.

The other thing could be a duplex mismatach. Make sure all network cards are set to autonegotiate speed/duplex. I don't know your situation, just following normal troubleshooting.

 

[acaeti]

you could check out freenas if you are looking for a simpler file dump type setup.

 

[HKSturboKID]

Are the workstations running GBit/full duplex and the server running 100/MBPS. You might want to check the speed and duplex settings and force the settings to 100/full as to auto.