metamatic
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Can UDP traffic degrade network performance?
I run a network with a single domain and 80 workstations. I was looking at our Watchguard Firebox 700 log files today and noticed that there is a lot of UDP traffic being generated by my workstations. Details are as follows:
Source: myworkstation
Destination 10.255.255.255
Port: 138
Direction: Out
Details UDP
I have a hunch it may be caused by our subnet mask. Our IP address range is 10.10.0.x with a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0. When I manually assigned a workstation a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 it stopped generating the traffic.
Can anybody confirm whether my assumption is correct? And is this traffic harmless or can it degrade my network performance?
Source: myworkstation
Destination 10.255.255.255
Port: 138
Direction: Out
Details UDP
I have a hunch it may be caused by our subnet mask. Our IP address range is 10.10.0.x with a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0. When I manually assigned a workstation a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0 it stopped generating the traffic.
Can anybody confirm whether my assumption is correct? And is this traffic harmless or can it degrade my network performance?
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> The task manager network viewer doesnt show your entire NETWORK congestion level.
This is true, thanks for pointing that out. Yet, if Metamagic's concern is broadcast traffic then he may get an idea about this anyway.
This is true, thanks for pointing that out. Yet, if Metamagic's concern is broadcast traffic then he may get an idea about this anyway.
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If you are using a SINGLE class C network, like 10.10.10.x , then the mask you SHOULD be using is 255.255.255.0.
The reason is, if you use 0 for the C and B addresses, the number if broadcasts is multiplied 256 x 256 x 256 -- and that is a lot of extraneous broadcasts you do NOT need. so yes, it can impair your network performance, figure 80 X 256 X 256 extra broadcasts on netbios, and that makes a helluva lot. Keep the netmask to 255.255.255.0, unless you are running different class C domains, like x.x.1.x and x.x.2.x -- then use 255.255.0.0. Hope that makes sense to you.
The reason is, if you use 0 for the C and B addresses, the number if broadcasts is multiplied 256 x 256 x 256 -- and that is a lot of extraneous broadcasts you do NOT need. so yes, it can impair your network performance, figure 80 X 256 X 256 extra broadcasts on netbios, and that makes a helluva lot. Keep the netmask to 255.255.255.0, unless you are running different class C domains, like x.x.1.x and x.x.2.x -- then use 255.255.0.0. Hope that makes sense to you.
Scrathcyboy,
are you actually saying there are millions of broadcasts that will occur IF someone uses a 255.0.0.0 subnet mask?
It doesnt actually work that way. You should check the info on that.
:)
are you actually saying there are millions of broadcasts that will occur IF someone uses a 255.0.0.0 subnet mask?
It doesnt actually work that way. You should check the info on that.
:)
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Your right Captain..... must try to remember .... I am still learning myself..
> I am still learning myself..
We all are, since no one is omniscient ;-)
Some folks are just farther along (probably because we [or at least I] am fast becoming a geezer)...
Cheers,
-Jon
We all are, since no one is omniscient ;-)
Some folks are just farther along (probably because we [or at least I] am fast becoming a geezer)...
Cheers,
-Jon
ASKER
Cheers guys. i have a performance issue on my network but through other means have found out the UDP packets are not the cause so i do not need to take this any further.
>>Please define "a lot of...traffic" in terms of percentage of average traffic, and percentage of available bandwidth.
>have a performance issue on my network but through other means have found out the UDP packets are not the cause
Indeed.
Cheers,
-Jon
>have a performance issue on my network but through other means have found out the UDP packets are not the cause
Indeed.
Cheers,
-Jon
you want to use a network management tool/sw to accurately see congestion.