ML150 G2 network problem.

[Veky]

Hello, I have a ML 150 G2 running Windows 2000 Server SP4. The server has a network share and the business applications are ran from there. The workstations are running WinXP Pro SP2. The server is connected to a Nortel Networks 470T Baystack switch. The workstations are connected either to that switch and some through small 8port D-Link switches. I have changed both the switches and the cables.

The problem is, network access and copy is very slow and laggy, curiously, not all of the time.

Example, server is running at 1gbps, workstation at 100mbps, both embedded NICs. I try to copy a 600mb file from the server, copy is slow and freezes every second or so. I run the application (which goes through a series of menus in which you select the one you need) and it opens very slow. Looking at task manager, network performance graph, you can see it is very nonconsistent, with spikes all over the place.

I've tried setting the ML150 NIC to 100mbps full duplex, it was even slower. Tried 100mbps half duplex and things were running fine. After ten minutes it started being slow (copying files off server at 200KBps). Rebooted the server, no go. Next, I've disabled Local Area Connection and then re-enabled it. The problem is gone, the question is for how long. This is happening to us on three locations.

My PC has a Intel Pro 1000/M NIC running at 1.0gbps and appears not to be experiencing the problem but I'm not 100% sure.

To sum it up:
- ML150 network performance is very slow
- file copy freezes every second or two, with spikes all over the place
- enable - disable network connection fixes the problem, for a while. File copying is consistent.


I would really appreciate any kind of comments or solutions that you may provide.

Thanks in advance.
-

[The Spartan]

Is the BIOS of the latest version?
Have up updated the NIC driver?

[Trygve Henriksen]

Are the switches set to autonegotiate the speed?

Try setting the switch-ports for the server to whatever the server can handle (1Gb/Full duplex, hopefully, if not try 100Mb/Full duplex) and do the same on the server itself.

You should also make certain that the ports used to connect the Dlinks to the main switch is also set at a fixed speed as some makes doesn't seem to get along very well.

[kesaco]

If your server is a domain controller, have a look on this :

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321169/en-us

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321098/en-us

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321543/en-us

Regards,
Kesaco