Kitz Forum

Computers & Hardware => Networking => Topic started by: canon on September 08, 2008, 08:14:34 PM

Title: Slow Home Network
Post by: canon on September 08, 2008, 08:14:34 PM
Some advice if possible please.
I have a simple 100Mbps network at home with a PC, Laptop and a Network Hard Drive. The PC and HD are connected directly to the Netgear DG834-3 by ethernet cable and the laptop via PowerLine adaptors rated at 85Mbps.
I find that the best speed of transfer I can get is only about 30-35 Mbps, even from PC to HD.
Also, if I transfer large amounts of data (50GB say) from PC the HD, it eventually grinds to a halt. Sometimes it picks up again but by then I'm fed up with waiting and abort.
Any ideas  as to what might be causing these problems, things to check, solutions would be very welcome.
Thanks,
Terry.
Title: Re: Slow Home Network
Post by: jid on September 09, 2008, 05:04:50 PM
Have you checked for any QoS that may be on the router?

Also, check the powerline adapters are set up OK, as these cause issues sometimes.
Title: Re: Slow Home Network
Post by: canon on September 10, 2008, 09:35:36 PM
I have the answer form Western Digital
Quote
Our internal testing shows that the MyBook World's will transfer at 24-40Mbps (3-5 MBps) on a local network. The drive does not move data quicker because that is the maximum throughput that the enclosure's CPU can handle.

I have now installed a gigabit switch and did manage to sustain 35-40Mbps this afternoon, so that is a much as can expect.
My local PC shop say the Netgear NAS housing is Much faster and in the gigabit range. I could move the drives (2x500GB) into one of those (for more expense). I may just put them into my PC.

I checked transfer speed from laptp to PC over the gigabit cable network, almost a direct ethernet cable connection via a socket, only about 25 feet. Speed was ~100Mbps so that was relatively slow too. Cable is CAT5E but I wonder if that's adequate - any comments?

Terry.
Title: Re: Slow Home Network
Post by: kitz on September 12, 2008, 01:04:40 PM
Wrong person to ask.  I was recently having a problem on my own (Gibabit network) where speeds were much slower than they should have been and the max I could ever get was around 22Mbps.

I'm not joking when I say I spend ages looking into it, new network cards, messing with all the settings, checking cable, testing speeds and I never ever got to the bottom of it.

I tried isolating the network cards to see if it was just one machine playing up,
MTU
Changing the settings on the network card (Jumbo frames etc)
Different cables

Then blow me after months of the problem - for some reason last week it all cleared and I never changed a damn thing.   ???

CAT5E should be fine.
Title: Re: Slow Home Network
Post by: canon on September 12, 2008, 08:46:40 PM
Quote
Then blow me after months of the problem - for some reason last week it all cleared and I never changed a damn thing.
Well, that's Windoze for you (I assume).  >:D
Terry.
Title: Re: Slow Home Network
Post by: guest on September 18, 2008, 06:08:53 AM
Terastations (I have two) will manage around 35MBps (250-300Mbps). A Freecom network hard drive (100Mbps interface) will only manage 3-4MBps (30Mbps or so). You do get what you pay for where networking is concerned.....