Windows XP ICS and DSL modem

[meson2000]

Hey everyone, I have two XP machines
setup. The first machine has two NICs (One
for DSL modem and one for home network).
I am using XP's ICS to give the other
XP machine access on my home network. Everything
is setup and works fine. However, the speed
at which I can browse, download, game, etc. on the XP
machine that is connected directly to the DSL modem
is FAR greater than the speed of the XP machine
that is hooked up through ICS. I am assuming
there must be some kind of overhead running through
ICS, but I wasn't expecting it to be such a noticable
difference. I have tweaked both the MTUs and the
RWINs on both machines to the acceptable limits (per
the tweak testing) and still no luck. Anyone
else use ICS and notice a performance hit on the
second machine???? Thanks in advance!

 

[Rkonster]

Hmmm, I don't know what is causing that. I am running two computers and ICS, both with XP, and I am experiencing NO noticeable speed differences. It could be an issue with your network.

 

[meson2000]

See, I think it might be a problem with my network connection between
the two computers too. I have two 10/100 baseT NICs in each machine
connected by a crossover cable. I dont' think my network is as fast
as it should be because of the amount of time it takes to transfer
large files between the two computers. Is there any way that
I can benchmark my network transfer speeds to see if there
is a problem???

 

[Rkonster]

There is probably a way to benchmark your network with some sort of software, but I am not aware of it. You can just time a large file transfer and then calculate from there. Though even a 10mbit network connection has more than enough bandwith for your dsl connect. Have you tried hooking up a different computer to the host to isolate which computer is the problem?

 

[meson2000]

I haven't switched computeres around. The one that is directly connected
to the DSL modem is a 433mhz Celeron and the computer that is connected
through ICS is a 1.4ghz Athlon. I remember a while ago I had my Athon
directly connected to the DSL modem and my Celeron connected through
ICS and I didn't notice any slow down on my Celeron. Could the
speed of the processor be a problem???

I went to Dslreports.com and did a line speed test. My Celeron (connected
directly to the DSL modem) downloads at 500kbits/sec (640kbits rated DSL line)
and my Athlon connected through ICS downloads at about 150-200kbits/sec.
There was no difference in upload speeds, both were about 80kbits/sec, which
is about what I normally get.