Slow File Copy Performance Between XP Clients & 2003 Server

[Ben]

Hi,



We're having a small problem with our new 2003 server. We've noticed there
is very slow network performance when copying files either from our XP
clients to the 2003 server, or from the 2003 server to the XP clients, this
happens whether its a mapped drive, or a UNC path. However copying from XP
client to XP client (or other OSs on the network) are fairly quick. This is
also causing problems in the morning when people logon, it can take up to
half an hour for a workstation (P4, 256mb ram) to apply the security policy,
and then login and run any scripts.



I've read a few articles on Microsoft's site i.e. kb 885189 "Slow
performance when you use a mapped drive to copy files to a remote server
from a Windows Server 2003-based computer" and kb 321169 "Slow SMB
performance when you copy files from Windows XP to a Windows 2000 domain
controller".

However neither of these are exactly the same problem as we're having (as
its not a 2000 DC, and not just on mapped drives). But could it still be a
problem with SMB?



I've run netmon when copying a few large files from my PC to the server, and
although there are a few entries for "SMB C NT transact - Notify Change" &
"SMB R NT transact" I wouldn't say it was excessive, maybe a few at the
start of a file copy, and a few at the end.



Can anyone think of a cause (and hopefully solution) to this problem?



Best regards



Ben

 

[Ben]

I just read a similar post on the 17th March from Andrew Perry, and I've
tried a few of the suggestions supplied by Todd Heron.

1. Disable SMB signing on the server
2. Make sure both the server and clients are running 100mb full duplex
3. Check DNS & IP settings
4. Disabled NAV
5. Upgraded the NIC drivers with the latest from Intel.

However this has made no difference, its still takes about 20 minutes to
copy 20mb of files. Any other ideas would be much appreciated.

Ben

 

[Kerry Brown]

We're having a small problem with our new 2003 server. We've noticed there
is very slow network performance when copying files either from our XP
clients to the 2003 server, or from the 2003 server to the XP clients,
this happens whether its a mapped drive, or a UNC path. However copying
from XP client to XP client (or other OSs on the network) are fairly
quick. This is also causing problems in the morning when people logon, it
can take up to half an hour for a workstation (P4, 256mb ram) to apply the
security policy, and then login and run any scripts.

What network card is in the server?

Kerry

 

[Ben Blackmore]

What network card is in the server?

Kerry

Intel Pro 1000 MT

 

[Kerry Brown]

Intel Pro 1000 MT

Desktop or server version? Either one shouldn't be the cause of your problem
though. I have seen cheap desktop cards in servers cause similar problems.

Kerry

 

[Ben Blackmore]

Server. Its a Dell PowerEdge 1600SC. I've tried the following with no luck.

1. Disable SMB signing on the server
2. Make sure both the server and clients are running 100mb full duplex
3. Check DNS & IP settings
4. Disabled NAV
5. Upgraded the NIC drivers with the latest from Intel.

Tomorrow I'm going to set both server & workstation to automatic speed
detection and see what that does, as setting both to 100mb/full duplex did
nothing. I'm also going to try a registry modification that I read about on
MS's site, where you chance the TCP ACK setting. However I don't expect it
to work. I've set up a 2nd server and I will see if this has the same
problem, I should be able to work out if its a software or hardware problem.

Ben

 

[Bob S.]

As a simple test, can you run a x-over cable between a client and the server
just to eliminate any switch/bridge problems?

Bob S.

 

[Ben Blackmore]

I'll give it a try tomorrow morning, (if we have any cross over cables lying
around).

Ben

 

[Ben]

And it was so simple, I'm kicking myself.

All it was, was the server had its network card forced to 100mb/full duplex.
I set it to auto detect and it chose 1gb/full duplex. I copied 20mb across
and it took about 5 seconds. Vast improvement over 15minutes.

Should have been one of the 1st things I tried yesterday, did eveything
else, forced all the other workstations to 100mb full duplex, but not the
otherway around! Grrr

Anyway, for future referance, if anyone else has this problem....try setting
the servers NIC to auto detect.

Ben

 

[Kerry Brown]

And it was so simple, I'm kicking myself.

All it was, was the server had its network card forced to 100mb/full
duplex. I set it to auto detect and it chose 1gb/full duplex. I copied
20mb across and it took about 5 seconds. Vast improvement over 15minutes.

Should have been one of the 1st things I tried yesterday, did eveything
else, forced all the other workstations to 100mb full duplex, but not the
otherway around! Grrr

Anyway, for future referance, if anyone else has this problem....try
setting the servers NIC to auto detect.

Ben

Glad you got it working. Thanks for updating us.

Kerry

 

[Guest]

I have a duplicate problem as you do yet I just checked and the
server cards are both set to autodetect Any other ideas on this?

 

[Robert L [MS-MVP]]

it deepens on your NIC and switch and sometimes, auto doesn't work. you may try to assign the speed manually.

Don't send e-mail or reply to me except you need consulting services. Posting on MS newsgroup will benefit all readers and you may get more help.

Bob Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on http://www.HowToNetworking.com
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on http://www.ChicagoTech.net
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.

I have a duplicate problem as you do yet I just checked and the
server cards are both set to autodetect Any other ideas on this?