Windows XP Networking

[Jim Turner]

Network question for you guys, I have 3 computers on a LAN (all
running Windows XP), all at 1 Ghz or better and 2 have a D-Link 530tx
and the other has a 538tx Network card (The 538 is in my Server).
These computers are networked through a Linksys BEFSR41 router which
is capable of 10/100mb/s . On average when copying files across my
network I get around 4.5 MB/s, and a friend of mine has the same basic
network configuration (without any tweaking) and he can go on average
50 MB/s. Other than the firewall inside the router I have no
firewalls on any of the machines and the internal Windows XP Firewall
has been disabled on all machines. Does any one have any helpful
hints on how I can speed up my network so I can get around 50 MB/s
across it? Thanks

Dman-x

What OS are you using? What is the speed of your Hard drives, etc.,
and what are you using to measure the speed of transfer? Same question
for your friends system? If you are getting 4.5MBytes/s, that is
probably normal, as that is about 45 Mbits/sec. which with overhead,
sloppy programming, duplex issues, etc. is fine for 100base. Is your
freind claiming 50MBytes/s? That is not possible with 100base, as the
maximum of 100mbits/s translates into about 12MBytes/s max, or
10MBytes/s after all the packet overhead, etc is included.

If you are getting 4.5mbits/sec, then you need to make sure that your
cards are actualy doing 100base. Look at processor load when copying.
Use a different program to copy the files. Map the drive and copy.
Copy one large file instead of many small ones. Copy with your
Antivirus program turned off. You will see the differences in the
effeciency of the programs you are using. Problem might not be the
network.

One other thing, the DLink cards are very basic in their functions, an
rely on the processor a lot. Smarter cards such as most of the 3Com
will have less overhead. Have seen as much as a 30% increase in
throughput from better cards, but not a 10 to 1 increase.

JT

 

[Dman-x]

Network question for you guys, I have 3 computers on a LAN (all
running Windows XP), all at 1 Ghz or better and 2 have a D-Link 530tx
and the other has a 538tx Network card (The 538 is in my Server).
These computers are networked through a Linksys BEFSR41 router which
is capable of 10/100mb/s . On average when copying files across my
network I get around 4.5 MB/s, and a friend of mine has the same basic
network configuration (without any tweaking) and he can go on average
50 MB/s. Other than the firewall inside the router I have no
firewalls on any of the machines and the internal Windows XP Firewall
has been disabled on all machines. Does any one have any helpful
hints on how I can speed up my network so I can get around 50 MB/s
across it? Thanks

Dman-x

 

[Cari]

Right click on Network Connections choose Properties, right click on Local
Area Connection, choose Properties. Click on Configure under the NIC.....
Click on the Advanced tab..... ensure they are all set to Media Type =
100Base TX Full_Duplex and NOT to AutoSense.

Cari
www.coribright.com

 

[Jim Turner]

Protocol can make a difference, but unless you tell it otherwise XP
will always do TCP/IP. Netbeui is pretty much discontinued (it is not
on the standard list of protocols to install. It is on the cd, but out
of the way), and noone installs IPX/SPX unless they need to use
Novell. Other protocols would not be installed unless needed I would
think. Unlikely that protocol is the determining factor here.

JT