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Poor Network performance on PE2850
We are having an issue where the network performance on six PE2850s we just put in place is sooo slow that users are calling it unacceptable. Each server was updated to the latest drivers and firmware when they were loaded 6 weeks ago. Checking the servers and the switches, we could find nothing wrong with the network settings.
In order to help troubleshoot the issue, I created a small script to test throughput speeds for file creation, access and modification. Below is a breakdown of what the script does:
Log start time
Create 1000 1024K files
Log time
Move all 1024K files to subfolder
Log time
Create 250 10240K files
Log time
Move all 10240K files to subfolder
Log time
Create 50 102400K files
Log time
Move all 102400K files to subfolder
Log time
Delete all created files from subfolders
Log Finish time
I then ran the script locally on a couple of the servers to get a baseline for HD performance, then ran it across the network from the Domain controllers across the network (attached to same blade on Cisco 1Gb switches) to judge network performance of the new servers.
Running against themselves, the new PE2850s were faster than the older PE1750s.
PE2850-1: 2:16.63 (minutes)
PE1750-Replaced: 5:01.01 (minutes)
PE2850-2: 1:55.35 (minutes)
Running over the network, the PE2850s performed at what might be a respectable 10MB/half speed.
PE1750-1 DC to PE2850-1: 28:20.14 (minutes)
PE1750-1 DC to PE1750-Replaced:8:53.59 (minutes)
8:48.50 (minutes) 2nd run to verify
PE1750-2 DC to PE2850-2: 49:32.47 (minutes)
We then checked the network configs set the switch port and the NIC for PE2850-2 to 1Gb/full (rather than auto). This dropped the time to complete on the test script to 29 minutes. (right in line with the other PE2850)
The network driver on the PE2850-2 is the latest available from Dell for the Intel Pro 1000MT. Checking the Intel web site, there was a newer version of the driver available for download. Downloading and installing this driver dropped the run time down to 15 minutes.
Has anyone else seen this issue, and if so... what have you done to fix it?
In order to help troubleshoot the issue, I created a small script to test throughput speeds for file creation, access and modification. Below is a breakdown of what the script does:
Log start time
Create 1000 1024K files
Log time
Move all 1024K files to subfolder
Log time
Create 250 10240K files
Log time
Move all 10240K files to subfolder
Log time
Create 50 102400K files
Log time
Move all 102400K files to subfolder
Log time
Delete all created files from subfolders
Log Finish time
I then ran the script locally on a couple of the servers to get a baseline for HD performance, then ran it across the network from the Domain controllers across the network (attached to same blade on Cisco 1Gb switches) to judge network performance of the new servers.
Running against themselves, the new PE2850s were faster than the older PE1750s.
PE2850-1: 2:16.63 (minutes)
PE1750-Replaced: 5:01.01 (minutes)
PE2850-2: 1:55.35 (minutes)
Running over the network, the PE2850s performed at what might be a respectable 10MB/half speed.
PE1750-1 DC to PE2850-1: 28:20.14 (minutes)
PE1750-1 DC to PE1750-Replaced:8:53.59 (minutes)
8:48.50 (minutes) 2nd run to verify
PE1750-2 DC to PE2850-2: 49:32.47 (minutes)
We then checked the network configs set the switch port and the NIC for PE2850-2 to 1Gb/full (rather than auto). This dropped the time to complete on the test script to 29 minutes. (right in line with the other PE2850)
The network driver on the PE2850-2 is the latest available from Dell for the Intel Pro 1000MT. Checking the Intel web site, there was a newer version of the driver available for download. Downloading and installing this driver dropped the run time down to 15 minutes.
Has anyone else seen this issue, and if so... what have you done to fix it?
Stanislav F
2 Posts
248
0
Posted October 12th, 2005 14:00
We have the similar problem with our new 5 (from 6) PE2850 servers. They run Win2003SP1, Dell drivers from site (we tried Intel as well), all last updates and so on. When I ping these servers we have about from 4% to 10% packets lost.
If you have Windows 2000 on the same servers, no problems.
But I fount that problem with network card (Intel PRO/1000 MT Dual card) starts when you install WINS or DHCP on server (even you do not need to authorize these services). After you install it you can have 4-5 packets lost in the raw when you use ping utility.
If anyone has any idea what can resolve this problem I'll be really appreciated 'cause neither Microsoft nor Dell technicians have no ideas how to resolve it.
Thanks, Stan
Message Edited by Stanislav F on 10-12-2005 10:28 AM
esmith0107
3 Posts
248
0
Posted October 12th, 2005 19:00
I am having a very similar problem with seven PE2850's that I just installed with Windows 2003 Server SP1. I am getting complaint after complaint about how slow they are but I have not been able to isolate the issue. I have the latest firmware, lastest 'Dell' drivers, I can ping them with no drops, but the users complain that they are horrible slow. We triple checked the speed and duplex settings and have them hardcoded on 100/Full on the server and the switch, but the old servers we replaced (in one case a seven year old ProLiant 3000) can massively outrun the new servers.
We haven't tried upgrading to the Intel version of the NIC driver. We have thought about it, but haven't installed it yet.
- We are still fighting this issue after 2 months. We've gotten performance boosts by upgrading to the Network driver version 8.2 which is available from Dell.. just not from the standard download pages.
http://ftp.us.dell.com/network/Intel_LAN_8.2_GE_W2K3_A00.exe
Checking Intel's site, we also got performance boosts from bumping up the receive and transmit describers to their maximum of 2048. (Controls how much RAM will the driver use for buffering I believe.)
We are still not sure what the root cause is... but those two changes helped OUR performance. We've made additional changes, but those two gave us the best boosts in trying to get a bunch of brandnew 2850s to now be only 50% slower than the old 1750 sitting next to them. esmith0107
3 Posts
248
0
Posted October 12th, 2005 23:00
Thank you for the info. I couldn't believe that my old PII-400 ProLiant was able to outrun this dual-proc 3.4Ghz PE2850, but sure enough it can. I will definitely update the driver and see if that helps. We have tried a ton of things, disabling virus scan, updated firmware, NIC order, etc. Nothing seems to help.Thanks again.
pcmeiners
6 Operator
•
1771 Posts
248
0
Posted September 7th, 2005 19:00
You also might try a speed test with flow control off