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Thread: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

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    Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    Hello all,

    I’ve just managed to set up a home server for storing all my pictures, videos etc centrally, and initially networked through wireless (I hadn’t bought the NIC for the server – old computer btw) and the appropriate cables). The main use for it was to link to the network shares through a Shuttle that I have as a Media PC (This runs Vista Media Centre).

    Last night I have finally got round to getting the cabling done and the setup is as follows:

    Media PC <---- Router -----> Server

    I’ve left out another PC upstairs which connect wirelessly, and also my wife’s laptop. Now, the Ethernet connections in the above diagram, work better than wireless, in that the files can be accessed a lot quicker in Vista Media Centre.

    However, the next thing I tried was to copy some files from the Media PC to the Server. I tested moving 8GB of files from the Media PC to the server and the throughput wasn’t as I expected. Checking in the device manager of both computers shows that the NICs are 100mbps, is 12.5MBps. Due to network overheads, I would expect this to be less, but I was getting a transfer rate of about 5MBps according to vista – equating to 40mbps. Additionally in the networking tab, there is a maximum network utilization of about 50%

    Cam anyone help with troubleshooting the network performance? I can setup networks fine, but I don’t know how to configure them optimally. Is that performance below what I should be expecting? Is there a way to figure out the bottleneck? I cant figure out if I have to configure the NIC or the router in a particular way.

    Could anyone give me a starting point maybe – maybe something to test that full bandwidth is possible (I only ask as I made up my own Ethernet as I needed to recrimp one head and wonder if the cable could limit max bandwidth?)

    Anyway, any suggestions would be very welcome - if more information is needed then just ask!

    JP

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    Re: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    Network diagnosis can be tricky... Fist off, yes, wirless will be slower than cabled connection. My thought would be that the switch in the router is the bottleneck, you could test that by connecting a computer directly to the server and seeing what transfer speed you get then. If it isn't much better, then the problem lies within one of the computers - and could be access times withing the server.

    If you are getting faster transfers with a direct connection, then you need to see if disabling wireless improves things - again if it does it points to the router as the bottleneck and you might consider cabling the laptop for large file transfers. Other things to look at might be network topography, something like:


    server----------switch---------computer(s)

    and connect the router to another port on the switch. (Can't show it graphically - the forum doesn't like whitespace at the start of the line!)

    So the router is just another device on the switch, rather than central to the network. Switches are pretty cheap and a 5 port would enable you to try this out.

    One other thing to check is that all unwanted network protocols on the computers are removed/disabled.
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    Re: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    The laptop transfers aren't an issue really, that only needs bandwith to access the internet, so thats fine, so its only really the connections between server, router and Media PC that come into question.

    Was confised with your diagram, until I hit reply, then it shows it properly, but reading what you said clarifies it - connect the router to switch and then netwirk off the switch. If it is the switch on the router that is the problem, wont is still remain? but just pass that bottleneck onto the other separate switch?

    Will have to try the direct connection, once i can find 5 metres of crossover... and finally, when you say remove the uneeded protocols, do you mean the ones that turn up on the network adaptor properties? I only have the normal ones (File/printer sharing, QoS, TCP/IP and client for MS Networks). The vista adaptor only differs in that it has different IP4 and IP6 settings.

    Will have to try all this out then. Thanks - and keep all the ideas coming!!!

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    Re: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    what os is the server running also is the adapter running in full duplex mode on both machines. the fact that your running at 40mbps leads me to think that the latter might have something to do with it. rahter tan allow them to negotiate force them to full duplex. (more soon got to change computers)
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    Re: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    It MAY just pass the bottleneck on - but a dedicated switch may have a better performance than the one built into the router.

    Try the direct connection first to eliminate (or not) the router as the bottleneck.

    You might try disabliong QoS as a protocol and see if that improves things. You probably don't need Client for MS networks (which I think is NETBIOS - but I may be wrong) as you are using TCP/IP.
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    Re: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    Quote Originally Posted by alsenior View Post
    what os is the server running also is the adapter running in full duplex mode on both machines. the fact that your running at 40mbps leads me to think that the latter might have something to do with it. rahter tan allow them to negotiate force them to full duplex. (more soon got to change computers)
    Well, the server is running WinXP Pro. Interesting point about the full duplex mode. I’m guessing NICs at both ends have to be forced to do this, and (this is embarassing), where do you set the NIC to force full duplex mode? I’ll try a google later on at lunch, but if you know, then that would help!

    JP

    EDIT: Its in device manager->find the adapter-> properties -> advanced -> Link speed & Duplex mode... Right? And I should set it to 100M Full Mode Right?

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    Re: Home Network File Transfer Bandwith Problem

    Quote Originally Posted by jonathan_phang View Post
    Well, the server is running WinXP Pro. Interesting point about the full duplex mode. I’m guessing NICs at both ends have to be forced to do this, and (this is embarassing), where do you set the NIC to force full duplex mode? I’ll try a google later on at lunch, but if you know, then that would help!

    JP

    EDIT: Its in device manager->find the adapter-> properties -> advanced -> Link speed & Duplex mode... Right? And I should set it to 100M Full Mode Right?
    thats right
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay View Post
    What kind of emergency would need Windows 95? I think you are already in a bad state of emergency when your backup plan is Windows 95.
    Beginners guide to raid Beginners guide to raid post edition Hexus.Social - FAQ

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