Slow File Copy Performance Between XP Clients & 2003 Server

30 Mar 2005 9:37 AM

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

31 Mar 2005 8:32 AM

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

Show quoteHide quote

"Ben" <bjblackm***@xyz.hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ujqluZRNFHA.1528@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> 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
>
>

15 Jun 2005 7:52 PM

ixeye

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?

Show quoteHide quote

"Ben" wrote:

> 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
>
>
> "Ben" <bjblackm***@xyz.hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ujqluZRNFHA.1528@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > 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
> >
> >
>
>
>

15 Jun 2005 10:22 PM

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.

"ixeye" <ix***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:E32F9FB9-CB75-4BEE-AF9C-316625E05575@microsoft.com...

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?

Show quoteHide quote

"Ben" wrote:

> 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
>
>
> "Ben" <bjblackm***@xyz.hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ujqluZRNFHA.1528@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > 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
> >
> >
>
>
>