Slow network!

Hi All,

I have a small domain based network of 10 workstations and 1 server and 2 hubs. A 'drive' of server is shared where all folder with the name of user is created to keep their files. It is working fine but the problem is sometime 'Shared Folders' on server takes too much time to open.

DNS is setup on server.

Can anyone tell me what's wrong with the settings?

Thanks

 

My guess would be that you are using a hub instead of a switch.


Black boxes explained, routers switches and hubs

My guess would be that with a hub, often you run into having to wait your turn instead of sharing the bandwidth.

 

A switch will certainly be lots faster than a hub and well worth the investment to change if you really are running hubs.

Meanwhile, you can still speed things up a little by changing the network card speed and duplexing settings. Unless you have really expensive hubs, they can only run at 10Mbps and half-duplex. Your network cards can probably run lots faster at 100Mbps and full-duplex.

If the network card settings are for Auto (and depending on the card, both settings may be in one place or you may have a setting for each). This means that time is wasted when the network card takes time to figure out what speed and duplexing is available. Set the cards to 10Mbps half-duplex and you will avoid some delay. When you replace hubs with switches, change the cards to 100Mbps full-duplex.

There is really never a good time to let the poor little things auto-negotitiate.

Having said all of that, I'm a little surprised that a network that small ever has serious bandwidth issues even with old-style hubs. Granted, a switch will allow arount 20 times faster network data transfers (and even more when the network is really busy) but you still shouldn't have things going that slowly. Suspect your patch cables and any other wiring connection points. Also make sure you don't have network cables running anywhere near fluoro light fittings.

 

At one time I was using a Hub to a Router on my 3 machine 1 Printer LAN.

I had the same slowdown problem. When one machine was online one of the others might not be able to get on.

I changed to a Switch and All Set to Auto address and it made ONE GREAT BIG difference. Now all three machines can be online at the same time with no problems.

It even made a difference in Printer speed too.

BillyBob

 

It might be a good time to have someone with a Pentascanner come in and certify your cables. All it takes is one end with 1 pair crossed to make a train wreck.
It will also tell you if any cables are routed too close to any interference sources.