Bandwidth problem?

[jonathanc]

Hi all, have a weird problem so I thought some IT/PC boffins here could give some advice. I have a ASUS Rampage 2 mobo with twin gigabit ethernet ports. I only use one port which is connectec to a 5 port gigabit switch. My Home Server is also connected to this switch.

 

I notice when I transfer a single large file (over 1GB) it would be quite slow. So lets say I have 3 open transfers :

 

1) From my PC to a folder on the server (1.8GB)

2) From a folder on the server to another folder on the server (1.2GB) run through Explorer on my PC (Drag and drop)

3) From server to PC (1.5GB)

 

I noticed it takes ages to process the transfer I get like around 4.1MB/s transfer rate. I noticed my internet browsing speed is slightly affected too.

 

I can't understand why as all the connected hardware is supposed to be gigabit compatible so such transfers shouldn't slow it down too much? Is this the normal speeds?

 

Also, I always wonder why the need of having 2 ethernet ports as you can only realistically use one at once? Or am I wrong?

 

Cheers!

[johnny g]

Is everything on there set to gigabit. full duplex? Are you running CAT 5e or higher cable?

You might need to force Gigabit on the NIC's.

 

Are your disks maxxing out, or is the router really Gigabit?

[JustGav]

No, you aren't wrong, speed should be a LOT higher

 

I usually get around 50-70Mbps on my gignetwork...

 

Have you tried things such as copying to alternate machines on the network? Disk IO is usually the main cause, are your network switches configurable? Check your speed/duplex settings on the PC are right as well.

[jonathanc]

Well single files are better and speed is good is I use XCOPY or ROBOCOPY but it just slows down really badly when I have multiple transfers. The switch supportes 100/1000 and so does my server's ethernet and the mobo's ethernet ports. I haven't tried on other matchines since this is my main workhorse.

 

Not very sure about disk I/O though ... how do I check?

 

I have tried playing with my PCs ethernet port settings but I think I have a problem if I force it to full gigabit, I can't seem to get internet. Might be the cables then? I used a mixture of cables they are Cat5e cables but not sure of the ratings etc. Stff I get free when buying routers etc.

 

My network config is a bit.... interesting I have my modem downstairs by the main BT point and used a homeplug to channel the connection to my "office" upstairs. Here's a rough map :

 

[DOWNSTAIRS]

BT -> SKY MODEM/ROUTER -> Homeplug

[uPSTAIRS]

Homeplug->5 port gigabit switch -> HOME SERVER, PC, ETC

 

edit: I think my sky modem/router might not support gigabit but there's not reason why the server and the pc going through the swithc should not? Unless it is disabled completely if one connection on the switch doesn't support gigabit?

[johnny g]

Homeplug is your problem there.

That's not Gigabit and you'll never get that from the mains. I get about 75Mbit from mine. You're getting around 36-40Mbit. That's your limit.

 

Test to a route which EXCLUDES the homeplug and report

[jonathanc]

Homeplug is your problem there.

That's not Gigabit and you'll never get that from the mains. I get about 75Mbit from mine. You're getting around 36-40Mbit. That's your limit.

 

Test to a route which EXCLUDES the homeplug and report

 

Yeah but I just homeplug as internet connection. For example, my PC connects directly to server via switch (I know the homeplug is connected to the switch itself for internet but that's about it).

 

I would prefer a proper setup tbh but can't seem to think of a better way at the moment. Basically my modem has to be in an awkward place downstairs but most of my equipment is in the upstairs room but no phone point here

[Thorin]

Well what speed do you get copying a single file?

 

I'm not surprised things are slower copying a large file both ways, plus copying large files around on the server as well. Probably disk IO bottleneck on the server.

[jonathanc]

Well from all the advice I've got I think I've narrowed down some culprits :

 

1) Ethernet cable

2) Gigabit switch

3) HDD

4) Mobo/CPU other hardware (I think this is unlikely?)

5) Ethernet port, drivers and settings

6) AV program - I've noticed the Home Server deleted some suspected keyloggers/trojans on the fly while copying over new files.

 

Any other culprits to check? Just want to know which to one to troubleshoot first as well... Cheers!