SLOW Network Performance on Multi-File Copy

[baddog59]

Problem:  Very slow file copy (directory copy via Explorer) using NT 4.x workstation to NT 4.x server.   I attempted to copy my local "\I386" directory to the server -- it just crawls --> lots of small files.   I then zipped the whole thing up into a 90 meg file --> it copied over with good speed.  Machine:  Dell Dimension 800 mhz,  3Com 3C905C - TXM, 256 megs ram, SP5.   Tried three different hubs, new cables, two different NET cards, two different servers, etc.)  Any ideas?   No other problems can be identified?

 

[fenris]

Basically your problem is that your machine can not copy a large amount of files very quickly, but when they are zipped, they copy much quicker. As far as I know this is normal and based on hard drive geometry and such. The best analogy I can think of is this: Say you wanted to shoot 10 pounds of lead out of a gun. You could make 10,000 bullets and fire them from a machine gun (which in effect is similar to copying the directory uncompressed) it takes a certain amount of time to load each bullet. Instead of shooting 10,000 bullets, you make one giant canonball and shot it just once (zipping the directory) All the lead will be delivered much faster.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Someone will probably give a better technical explaination and I would love to hear it because I notice this when transfering files from different O/S's via ftp. I even notice the slowdown when copying files from one harddrive to another on the same machine (in different O/S's, win9x,winNT, linux). When I experienced the slow downs, I did what you did and noticed that it is much quicker to copy a single large file as opposed to numerous small ones.<br><br>Hope this helps... <p>Troy Williams B.Eng.<br><a href=mailto:fenris@hotmail.com>fenris@hotmail.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>