Network problem

[psp83]

I'm having a weird problem with my network at the mo.

Last few days I've been moving large (around 6gb) files from my pc to my nas drive, but when I do this, browsing the net or anything that requires network use is very slow.

Any ideas what this could be ?

Win 7 64bit
Cat 5e twisted shielded cables
Netgear gigabit switch

Also my nas drive keeps crashing at random % during transfer.

Its a Western Digital 1TB My Book World Edition.

[Niall]

Other than hardware issues, the only other thing I can think of is network drivers. I've had similar problems with both in the past. I suppose anti spyware programs like superantispyware could cause issues. I know that program has caused me a few headaches in the last few months.

[esh]

My most recent Netgear router started crashing whenever I made large file uploads. Have you tried forcing your network link to 100M? This fixes a lot of issues with iffy routers and drivers.

[psp83]

Whats better, Full or Half duplex?

[Glenn]

Full normally

[pctech]

Might also be an idea to see if there is any updated firmware for the switch as it could have been an issue that has been identified and fixed.

[psp83]

The switch is a Netgear GS608 V3, They don't do firmware updates for it. Well, cant find any on netgear site.

Gunna try the transfer again and see how it goes.

[Steve]

Nothing to do with having set jumbo frames on the NAS?

[psp83]

Nothing to do with having set jumbo frames on the NAS?

I'm in the advanced setting menu on the nas drive and can't see anything to do with jumbo frames

Here's the log :

05/26 02:23:38  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: ======= start cleaning up DB
05/26 02:19:56  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === Walking directory done.
05/26 02:19:13  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3410]: System Startup - System startup.
05/26 02:19:13  Jupiter daemon.warn wixEvent[3410]: System Abnormal Shutdown - System had abnormal shutdown last time.
05/26 02:19:11  Jupiter daemon.info init: Starting pid 4074, console /dev/ttyS0: '/sbin/getty'
05/26 02:19:11  Jupiter daemon.info init: Starting pid 4073, console /dev/null: '/bin/touch'
05/26 02:19:10  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mc_trans_updater_init() ...Done.
05/26 02:19:10  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mc_trans_updater_init() ...
05/26 02:19:10  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === inotify init done.
05/26 02:19:10  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mcUtilsInit() Done.
05/26 02:19:09  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mcUtilsInit() Creating free queue pool
05/26 02:19:09  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mc_db_init ...Done.
05/26 02:19:08  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: ++++++++ database exists: ret = 0
05/26 02:19:08  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mc_db_init ...
05/26 02:19:08  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: +++++++++++++++ START OF ./miocrawler at 2010:05:26 - 02:19:08 [Version 01.08.24] ++++++++++++++
05/26 02:18:55  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3410]: Network IP Address - NIC 1 got IP address 192.168.0.50 from DHCP server.
05/26 02:18:55  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3410]: Network Link - NIC 1 link is up 1000 Mbps full duplex.
05/26 02:18:45  Jupiter syslog.info syslogd started: BusyBox v1.1.1
05/22 19:47:16  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: ======= start cleaning up DB
05/22 19:45:22  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === Walking directory done.
05/22 19:44:37  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3411]: System Startup - System startup.
05/22 19:44:37  Jupiter daemon.warn wixEvent[3411]: System Abnormal Shutdown - System had abnormal shutdown last time.
05/22 19:44:36  Jupiter daemon.info init: Starting pid 4045, console /dev/ttyS0: '/sbin/getty'
05/22 19:44:36  Jupiter daemon.info init: Starting pid 4044, console /dev/null: '/bin/touch'
05/22 19:44:35  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mc_trans_updater_init() ...Done.
05/22 19:44:35  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mc_trans_updater_init() ...
05/22 19:44:35  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === inotify init done.
05/22 19:44:35  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mcUtilsInit() Done.
05/22 19:44:34  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mcUtilsInit() Creating free queue pool
05/22 19:44:34  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mc_db_init ...Done.
05/22 19:44:33  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: ++++++++ database exists: ret = 0
05/22 19:44:32  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mc_db_init ...
05/22 19:44:32  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: +++++++++++++++ START OF ./miocrawler at 2010:05:22 - 19:44:32 [Version 01.08.24] ++++++++++++++
05/22 19:44:18  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3411]: Network IP Address - NIC 1 got IP address 192.168.0.50 from DHCP server.
05/22 19:44:17  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3411]: Network Link - NIC 1 link is up 1000 Mbps full duplex.
05/22 19:44:06  Jupiter syslog.info syslogd started: BusyBox v1.1.1
05/22 19:42:13  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3412]: Network IP Address - NIC 1 got IP address 192.168.0.50 from DHCP server.
05/22 19:42:13  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3412]: Network Link - NIC 1 link is up 1000 Mbps full duplex.
05/22 19:42:07  Jupiter daemon.warn wixEvent[3412]: Network Link - NIC 1 link is down.
05/22 00:45:50  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === Walking directory done.
05/22 00:26:08  Jupiter daemon.info wixEvent[3412]: System Startup - System startup.
05/22 00:26:08  Jupiter daemon.warn wixEvent[3412]: System Abnormal Shutdown - System had abnormal shutdown last time.
05/22 00:26:06  Jupiter daemon.info init: Starting pid 4048, console /dev/ttyS0: '/sbin/getty'
05/22 00:26:06  Jupiter daemon.info init: Starting pid 4047, console /dev/null: '/bin/touch'
05/22 00:26:06  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mc_trans_updater_init() ...Done.
05/22 00:26:06  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mc_trans_updater_init() ...
05/22 00:26:06  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === inotify init done.
05/22 00:26:06  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mcUtilsInit() Done.
05/22 00:26:05  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: mcUtilsInit() Creating free queue pool
05/22 00:26:05  Jupiter syslog.info miocrawler: === mc_db_init ...Done.

Its missing 4 days of logs for some reason  but as you can see, I keep getting "System Abnormal Shutdown" when doing large transfers to the drive.

Anyways, I've update my network card drivers and changed the link speed. Will see if I get the slow downs now.

NAS drive is another problem to look into

[Steve]

My guess is that something's corrupt on the NAS have you had a look on WD forums?

[psp83]

Changing to full duplex from auto really slowed down the transfer speed.

Full duplex = 120 kb/sec, est 10hrs for 5gigs

Auto = 9.3 mb/sec, est 9 mins for 5gigs

Network card driver update seems to fix the slow network speed when copying large files over over to the nas drive.

[esh]

Well it sounds like you have the network problem in hand if it is running reasonably. As for the NAS... what's the filesystem on it, do you know? Is there any firmware for that? Also have you tried plugging it directly into your machine and taking the switch out the equation to see if that's mucking it up?

[psp83]

Not sure on the filesystem as the bloody thing isn't responding again so I can't check

I've tried connecting it straight into my laptop & into the router aswell, It just crashes / stops responding at random times and like crashing under pressure!

Thinking about replacing it with this : http://www.ebuyer.com/product/189995

If I do replace it, I will just take the case apart and keep the drive for spare.

[pctech]

Nice bit of hardware but don't discard your NAS just yet mate.

If its got a reset switch give it a go.

[psp83]

If its got a reset switch give it a go.

The reset button will be worn out soon lol..

I've also restored to factory default loads of times, Firmware is the latest version.

I just dont know and cant work out whats wrong with it.

[Lance]

Could the drive be failing?

[Steve]

What format system is on the drive

[pctech]

I'm baffled I have to say.

[Steve]

Have a look at "mybook disconnects" Paul


http://mybookworld.wikidot.com/troubleshooting

[psp83]

The problem is back again.


click for bigger pic

When a large transfer happens other network traffic stops  

[psp83]

Have a look at "mybook disconnects" Paul


http://mybookworld.wikidot.com/troubleshooting

Yeah I've been through that site, I have the feature packs installed on the drive that gives more information about the drive itself.

[D-Dan]

Are you using Windows 7? I was having this problem and it turned out to be network drivers. If there's an update grab it. If not, try dropping the network port to 10Mbs (from what is probably 100 Mbs). I found that this restored functionality.

Steve

[psp83]

Are you using Windows 7? I was having this problem and it turned out to be network drivers. If there's an update grab it. If not, try dropping the network port to 10Mbs (from what is probably 100 Mbs). I found that this restored functionality.

Steve

Yeh its windows 7 64 bit, network card drivers are upto date and link speed has been changed, anything other than auto seriously slows down transfer speed.. 10/100mb full duplex makes it transfer around 120k/sec. Auto = around 10m/sec.

Dunno what else I can do  

[zappaDPJ]

There are two things that spring to mind but only because I've had the same issue and still do under certain circumstances. I don't think either will help but it might be worth ruling them out.

I don't know what router you have and now I've started typing I can't scroll back far enough to see if you've mention it but I've found Netgear routers to be abysmal at multitasking. For example, if I'm uploading to an FTP I can't use the net at all for any other purpose. I've also found that if I transfer large files across my network the same applies.

The other thing that came to mind is the problem I had with Microsoft's BITS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_Intelligent_Transfer_Service

[psp83]

Here's a picture of my network and what uses it.



The green area is the problem, I will try connecting a laptop by ethernet to the switch next to make sure its not the switch causing the trouble on large transfers.

[Steve]

I think if the pc and nas are on the same switch it lets the router off the hook

[psp83]

This is getting weird now, I just transferred 2 6gb files and got no network slow down or timeouts.

I have no idea what the problem is now.

[pctech]

Nice diagram but I'm not sure what is going on either.

[psp83]

Ok, I spoke to soon, on this copy I'm getting slow downs. Web sites taking ages to load etc.

My netbook that runs windows xp is connected to the same switch and thats not getting any slow downs, so this means the switch is ok.

Now. I'm thinking a windows 7 problem.

The PC spec for this machine is : Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450  @ 2.66GHz, 4 GB RAM.

I will have to look around the net to see if there's a fix.

[psp83]

This is what I get when copying a file to the NAS drive.

C:\Users\Paul>tracert www.idnet.net

Tracing route to www.idnet.net [212.69.36.10]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

 1    <1 ms    <1 ms    <1 ms  www.routerlogin.com [192.168.0.1]
 2    14 ms    14 ms    12 ms  telehouse-gw4-lo2.idnet.net [212.69.63.99]
 3    13 ms    13 ms    13 ms  telehouse-gw3-g0-1-400.idnet.net [212.69.63.243]
 4    13 ms    13 ms    13 ms  redbus-gw2-g0-1-331.idnet.net [212.69.63.5]
 5    16 ms     *        *     redbus-gw1-fa2-0-300.idnet.net [212.69.63.225]
 6     *       14 ms     *     www.idnet.net [212.69.36.10]
 7     *       13 ms    14 ms  www.idnet.net [212.69.36.10]

Trace complete.



[attachment deleted by admin]

[pctech]

If you are trying to surf on the same machine you are copying the file from it is likely to be contention on the Ethernet interface.

Unfortunately there is not much you can do about that.

[psp83]

If you are trying to surf on the same machine you are copying the file from it is likely to be contention on the Ethernet interface.

Unfortunately there is not much you can do about that.

Yeah I expect a slow down, but no traffic at all is abit extreme.

Copying the same file on an XP machine does not have the same problem. Looks like Windows 7 still has the Vista network bug 

[pctech]

Could be

My original plan was to upgrade my PC hardware this year so would have Windows 7 to play about with but as always, other things have got in the way.

[Steve]

Didn't the Vista bug relate to the MultiMedia Class Scheduler i.e when multimedia was being used on the PC everything else ground to a halt due to the way the priorities were organised.

[pctech]

Come to think of it I think it was Steve.

I've noit paid that much attention to Vista as it sucks like a good vacuum.

[Steve]

Isn't the same service still in windows 7? I think it is, may be worth disabling the service temporarily just to see.

[psp83]

Tried disabling it. Aswell as doing the following

netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

Still getting the problem, Guess I'm just going to have to live with it.