Excessive network traffic

[Brett Gadd]

Hi there,

I have a small Windows XP workgroup with four computers connected, but am
experiencing very weird network activity that slows down the network
dramatically and totally overloads a wireless connection that we have. The
problem seems to be caused by one single machine, and the network monitor on
that computer (Task Manager - Networking) indicates steady network traffic
at about 24% (out of 100Mbps, so way more than the wireless connection can
handle). I have no idea what this can be the result of, and the problem
stops momentarily when the computer is rebooted, but then starts again after
anywhere between 15 minutes and a few hours without anybody touching the
computer. If I disconnect that computer from the switch, everything is back
to normal and everything works fine.

I've run Windows Update to make sure that the computer is up-to-date, and
also run a virus scan without finding any viruses. I've also tried
connecting the computer to another slot on the switch, and replaced the
network cable, but with no success.

Does anybody have any suggestions for what this could be caused by, how I
can solve it, or at least progress with my troubleshooting? Maybe there is
some software that can check what is causing this network traffic?

Thank you so much in advance!

// Brett Gadd

 

[Chuck]

Hi there,

I have a small Windows XP workgroup with four computers connected, but am
experiencing very weird network activity that slows down the network
dramatically and totally overloads a wireless connection that we have. The
problem seems to be caused by one single machine, and the network monitor on
that computer (Task Manager - Networking) indicates steady network traffic
at about 24% (out of 100Mbps, so way more than the wireless connection can
handle). I have no idea what this can be the result of, and the problem
stops momentarily when the computer is rebooted, but then starts again after
anywhere between 15 minutes and a few hours without anybody touching the
computer. If I disconnect that computer from the switch, everything is back
to normal and everything works fine.

I've run Windows Update to make sure that the computer is up-to-date, and
also run a virus scan without finding any viruses. I've also tried
connecting the computer to another slot on the switch, and replaced the
network cable, but with no success.

Does anybody have any suggestions for what this could be caused by, how I
can solve it, or at least progress with my troubleshooting? Maybe there is
some software that can check what is causing this network traffic?

Thank you so much in advance!

// Brett Gadd

Brett,

Try Port Explorer from
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/portexplorer/index.php?page=home to find
the process generating the traffic. For information about the
process, once you find it, Process Explorer from
http://www.sysinternals.com/.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

[Bob Willard]

Hi there,

I have a small Windows XP workgroup with four computers connected, but am
experiencing very weird network activity that slows down the network
dramatically and totally overloads a wireless connection that we have. The
problem seems to be caused by one single machine, and the network monitor on
that computer (Task Manager - Networking) indicates steady network traffic
at about 24% (out of 100Mbps, so way more than the wireless connection can
handle). I have no idea what this can be the result of, and the problem
stops momentarily when the computer is rebooted, but then starts again after
anywhere between 15 minutes and a few hours without anybody touching the
computer. If I disconnect that computer from the switch, everything is back
to normal and everything works fine.

I've run Windows Update to make sure that the computer is up-to-date, and
also run a virus scan without finding any viruses. I've also tried
connecting the computer to another slot on the switch, and replaced the
network cable, but with no success.

Does anybody have any suggestions for what this could be caused by, how I
can solve it, or at least progress with my troubleshooting? Maybe there is
some software that can check what is causing this network traffic?

Thank you so much in advance!

// Brett Gadd

Try turning off XP's PnP for the network stuff (probably the router).
PnP (sometimes? always?) generates a lot of net traffic.