strange ping response patterns

[jimfixit]

Whilst trying to diagnose dropped packets to the other side of our firewall, I have noted some strange behavior that I don't know how to account for.

Topology:

Workstation A --> 3750 --> 6513 --> 3500 --> firewall
|_> laptop B

When I use Workstation A to ping to each device in the route I see the following:

WSA to 3750 <1MS steady
WSA to 6513 <1MS steady
WSA to 3500 usually 1-5MS frequently spikes to 26 or 30 MS
WSA to firewall < 1MS steady
WSA to laptop B <1 MS Steady

What is is about that 3500 that, when pinged directly, would show these spikes in response but, when pinging through that same 3500 to a unit connected to it, does not display those same frequent spikes?

If I get spikes in response going to the unit, should I not see that overhead added into the response for devices connected to that unit???

Very odd.

 

[chipk]

Nice word - "usurping." I'm going to start using that in my daily vocabulary. That'll really throw some people.

Glad you got it figured out anyway.

And to everyone else in the discussion - I really wasn't trying to be a jerk, I honestly don't know the answer for sure, I'm just going off what I do know. If anyone does come across concrete documentation on this stuff, be sure to share it.