Slow file access to W2K server

[Mike]

Hello all:

I have a standalone W2K server (not a DC) and a number of W2K pro clients on
a a 100mb network. The NICs on the server and clients are set to 100mb Full
Duplex.

For internet, we have a cable modem connected to a Linsys router. The
router has NAT and DHCP enabled. Server and client use the ISPs DNS
servers, the router's IP for DHCP and gateway. All machines are listed in
Network Places and all are accessible via computer name (not using lmhost
lookup).

Here's the problem.......
When the clients connect to the server, file access is very slow. At first
I thought it was a router problem but internet access is extremely fast.
All programs are loaded locally on each client but all progam data is on the
server. Data is accessed via a mapped drive to a share on the server. When
clients check their email (outlook PST files) it can take 6 or 7 seconds to
download one simple message.

The biggest problem is that when the clients *are* accessing data on the
server, the server slows down to a crawl. The server is a W2K Server (sp4),
SQL Server 2000, 1GH P3, 512MB Ram and ample disk space (recently
defragged).

Any ideas?

Thanks,
MIke

 

[Marina Roos]

Install DHCP and DNS on the server, shut down the DHCP in the router. How
many nics in the server? Put those nics for DNS to the server-IP. Then
you'll put the ISP-DNS-numbers in the tab Forwarders of your DNS-server. Set
options 003, 006 and 015 in Scope options of DHCP-server.
Make sure the clients obtain an IP from your DHCP-server automatically as
well as DNS.

Marina

 

[Mike]

Thanks for your reply Marina, but how exactly will this: 1) speed up file
access, and 2) keep the server from slowing?

Thanks,
Mike

---------------

 

[Marina Roos]

Hi Mike,

W2K is much happier when it is running DHCP and DNS. That will speed up
things for sure.

Marina

 

[Mike]

Marina:

Can you please point me to a couple of articles that illustrate/define what
"happier" means in technical terms? I can understand how having those
services local to one's network would speed up netlogon, but it makes no
sense to me that it would affect the speed of file transfers.

Mike

---------------------

 

[Marina Roos]

Hi Mike,

I haven't got specific articles for you. You might have a look at the
MS-site. It's recommended to install DNS on a W2K-server.
W2K-clients and for sure XP-clients rely heavily on DNS.

Marina