david_brunelle
asked on
How to Troubleshoot Network/ Server Performance Issues
I am experiencing performance issues on our network. This problem is either related to something in our network topology, network configuration, or a specific server. I need some assistance determining the root of the problem.
Environment:
Windows Domain (Small Business Server 2003, and 1 file server)
- Dell PowerEdge 2950 (SBS 2003)
- Dell PowerVault 745N (File Server)
- 40 users
- "My Documents" folder being redirected to File Server. Company Shared Documents on the File Server
Network
-3 Dell PowerConnect 5324 10/100/1000 Switches
-2 Switches connect to 1 "backbone" switch. All servers connect to the "backbone" switch w/ 1Gbps links.
Problem:
Network performance is generally "slow." File transfers are slow, logging on to the network can be painfully slow, users are occasionally "disconnected" from the file server. Transferring large files from workstations to the file server will occasionally result in a failure.
Thoughts:
I believe this problem could be related to one of the following:
- Networking issue. Collisions, bottleneck somewhere, etc...
- Server issue: underpowered server, hard-drives overwhelmed, etc...
Request:
How do I establish, with certainty, the exact cause of the problem? I don't have money to throw at the problem... just my time. Are there any free utilities I can use to narrow down the exact cause? How would you attack the problem if you were in my shoes?
Environment:
Windows Domain (Small Business Server 2003, and 1 file server)
- Dell PowerEdge 2950 (SBS 2003)
- Dell PowerVault 745N (File Server)
- 40 users
- "My Documents" folder being redirected to File Server. Company Shared Documents on the File Server
Network
-3 Dell PowerConnect 5324 10/100/1000 Switches
-2 Switches connect to 1 "backbone" switch. All servers connect to the "backbone" switch w/ 1Gbps links.
Problem:
Network performance is generally "slow." File transfers are slow, logging on to the network can be painfully slow, users are occasionally "disconnected" from the file server. Transferring large files from workstations to the file server will occasionally result in a failure.
Thoughts:
I believe this problem could be related to one of the following:
- Networking issue. Collisions, bottleneck somewhere, etc...
- Server issue: underpowered server, hard-drives overwhelmed, etc...
Request:
How do I establish, with certainty, the exact cause of the problem? I don't have money to throw at the problem... just my time. Are there any free utilities I can use to narrow down the exact cause? How would you attack the problem if you were in my shoes?
binarykuki
I would start with switches that you have in your network. I would make sure that they are negotiating properly when the server and workstation are truned on and off. I would also look at the utlization of the of the connected ports on the switch. This could be that switches are getting overwhelmed. If you find that certain ports are being used more than the other investigate further to see if that is ligimate traffic not some virus.
A couple of things to try first:
1) Ensure the NICs on the servers are running at 1Gbps
2) Make sure all the machines are using your SBS server as the DNS server - including the SBS server.
3) Look at the event logs on one of the machines you using to see if there are any errors.
Cheers
Stu
1) Ensure the NICs on the servers are running at 1Gbps
2) Make sure all the machines are using your SBS server as the DNS server - including the SBS server.
3) Look at the event logs on one of the machines you using to see if there are any errors.
Cheers
Stu
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ASKER
Thank you everyone for the answers and input given.
The biggest issue for us, it looks like, relates to PST files residing on the server. There also appears to be a bottleneck where our switches are concerned. Basically, the link between two of our 5324's and the "backbone" switch are causing a traffic jam.
It will take some time to move the PST's from the server, and see what kind of performance boost we get - but I'm anticipating it should resolve a lot of our problems.
The biggest issue for us, it looks like, relates to PST files residing on the server. There also appears to be a bottleneck where our switches are concerned. Basically, the link between two of our 5324's and the "backbone" switch are causing a traffic jam.
It will take some time to move the PST's from the server, and see what kind of performance boost we get - but I'm anticipating it should resolve a lot of our problems.
ASKER
Thanks for your help. It appears like a combination of PST files on the server, and a bottleneck between switches is causing the vast majority of our problems.