Slow opening Files over network

[Guest]

We have a shared folder that has over 300 xls files in it.
When a user tries to open any of those files it takes literally 5 minutes,
and this is on new infrastructure on new servers.

The only reasons I could find for this to be happening is that when all the
users are in that folder with detailed view on, its sucking up all the
bandwidth creating network slowdown.

I tested this buy creating a test folder beneath the parent folder anc
opying those files into the new folder and the files open flawlessly. So this
makes me think that because no other users were using that new folder it is
not slowed down.

Is that my issue or is there an issue with excel files over the network? Ive
also disable network scanning from Syamntec Anti-vris which didnt seem to
help.

Excel 2003, Server 2003, Dual 3.0GHz Xeon, 4Gb Ram.

 

[Ryan Hanisco]

Carey,

I am sure you realize this.... but this doesn't sound normal.

You haven't told us though:
1. What the network that these are on is like.
2. How big are these files?
3. What OS the workstations are on?
4. Do you have SMB signing on for this transfer?


I mean if you are working with 100MB excel files on workstations with 100MB
RAM and a 11Mb wireless link, this sounds right. If you have XP
workstations with 1GB ram and 100MB full duplex, this is another story.

If your workstations are XP or 2000 SP4, you will see a marked improvement
in speed if you turn off SMB signing on the server.

 

[Guest]

Ryan,

The network is a 100Mb network, its a brand new installation.
The Files are LESS than 100Kb
The workstations from Windows XP SP1
SMB signing is on by default, will disabling this affect anything else??

Thanks,

 

[Ryan Hanisco]

If you are not using SMB signing for anything specific, you will not notice
any problems when you disable SMB signing. Note that you will need to
reboot your server after making the registry change.