Files on network drives (domain environment) are opening very slow

[1LUV1T]

Hello all, users are reporting that network files are very slow to access when opening them from a network drive.

The network drives open fast initially but once I start copying files between network/local folders or accessing spreadsheets it is brutally slow. As an example, a 20mb file from the network drive copied to my local desktop can take minutes instaed of seconds. Second example, a spreadsheet file that used to take seconds to open now takes minutes to open. This is all happening on our file server/domain controler. I was thinking perhaps it needed a DEFRAG but that didn't help.

The only change that took place was an upgraded fiberline that replaced a dsl line. I also set the router to full duplex so that we get the full throttle. All of this was done at the backend so i am not sure if it is coincidental or not, but is there a way to pinpoint bottlenecks with network drives and files? The files themsleves are not too large so it does not make sure sense why it takes minutes to open them.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[fugtruck]

I ran across a similar problem not too long ago with a client of mine. I was getting transfer rates of 3-4Mbps on a 100Mbps LAN. Ended up running across several issues including poor network cabling and also found a network loop between unmanaged switches. Fixing these helped a lot.

They also had two or three users tieing up the pipe to the internet with streaming media. You didn't really notice the slowness that much when copying small files or going to relatively small sites.

 

[technome]

full duplex so that we get the full throttle"
If you cables do not live up to cat 5 specs, setting to "full duplex" could be causing errors if you cable runs are not up to spec. Also toggle flow control to off to see if that helps.


........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm

 

[1LUV1T]

Problem solved... I had to hard reset the unmanaged switch (48 port Linksys switch) and all of a sudden speeds resumed to normal. @technome: the ethernet cables are cat5, thanks for the info though.

 

[technome]

the Ethernet cables are cat5"
I assumed they were cat5, I was more concerned if the cables were certified, with a cat 5 tester, as I often find poor termination causing a buildup of errors.


........................................
Chernobyl disaster..a must see pictorial

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/default.htm