Routing Computers = major slowdowns

[Inspirer]

Hi everyone,
I give technical support to an organization that can't afford someone who's qualified
we have two separate networks that can cross over through either a linux firewall PC with 2 Realtek Adapters,
or a PC running win2k server.
we measured how long it takes to copy 20MB from a server to a workstation on net A and scored ~ 4 seconds.
we saw the same results on multiple workstations.
we then tried to copy from the same server on net A to a workstation on net B and through both routers it took > 40 seconds.
I it's route is just server -> router -> workstation with a 16 Port Surecom switch on every "->".
* I then copied the file to the router (server -> router) which was fast.
** and then (router->workstation) which was even faster.

unless I'm missing something, * and ** rule out a faulty infrastructure.

what else should I try ?
are the router PCs to blame ?
what can be done ?
is there any information I left out that might be relevant?

About 150 people thank you for your advice.

 

[spidey07]

are the router PCs to blame

Without looking much deeper...YES!


Generally PCs don't make very good routers from a performance perspective. Can you use FTP to test? Or download Qcheck and run a test. Make sure to pop up a performance monitor and look at processor and interrupts. These cold hard numbers will point you in the right direction, but I really avoid using a PC or server as anything other than a host.

Its the networks job to move data, its the hosts job to provide that data.

 

[Garion]

It sounds like you've got a network problem somewhere, most likely on your router.

From each side of the "router", pick a similar PC and transfer data TO the router box, either with FTP or some other kind of protocol. See if one side is significantly slower than the other. If it is, troubleshoot it. If it's not, your box is just too slow to keep up with it.

Why use a PC as a router? Your network sounds small enough to be able to fit on a single subnet without needing a router.

- G

 

[azev]

If you do need a router, I think there are a lot of affordable L3 switch that would do wonders.

 

[Inspirer]

as a matter of fact we are planning on a major purchase in the weeks to come

what will be the best solution for us to separate the two networks and still be able to cross over when necessary?

the reason for separation is that net A is a NT domain and net B is a simple network with a linux server as a DHCP.
net A is for offices, net B is for homes.
some people do need to access their office PC and servers at home though.

azev,
can you link me up with a few examples of these affordable wonders?

 

[Soybomb]

Have you tested it with anything other than realtek adapters? They've always had the absolute worst transfer rates in any tests I've read. If not try some 3com or intel cards in it and see what happens.

edit: I'm not implying the tests were all that scientific or impartial, and I've been known to use one from time to time on a workstation, but I still think they have lousy transer rates usually

 

[spidey07]

Inspirer,

While I could help you pick equipment to route packets, what I'm starting to hear is "this network needs help."

These days most computing resources are very centralized and its all about access to these applications/resources. Today with DSL and VPNs you can truly allow people at home to have all the power and response that folks in the office have. I'd suggest you take a step back and look at what's really going on.

So, what applications are you running and what kind of performance/access do you need? Home guys really should just be doing a VPN into the "central network" and at that point the performance and ease of use should just about equal their experience in the office.