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Slow access to network files on SBS 2003 Server

I have a network running SBS where I'm hearing complaints about slow access to files stored on the server. I have implmeneted My Documents Redirection and various file shares.

The server is a new Dell 1800 with 1Gb of RAM and 160Gb of drive space. The workstations are Windows XP Pro SP2 running AMD 2.0Ghz processors with 512Mb of RAM.

I have seen this in action, where a user goes to open their file and it takes a few seconds to open. Also, if they do Save As it takes a few seconds for this to happen. This happens on all systems, so I'm comfortable in saying its not the local workstation.

The network is a wireless LAN, using Linksys WAP54Gs. The server uses a wired AP to allow a connection to the workstations.

I'd like to know what to do to speed up redirected my document access and file shares.

Please advise.

Jason

manicsquirrel

Try to connect a single workstation with ethernet, and see if the symptoms still exist. Also, could you please post an ipconfig /all from the server and one workstation for review?

jtcomstock

ASKER

Jeff,

I did turn off SMB signing since I submitted the note.

Also, I had two access points, one was repeating off the other, which is connected via a LAN switch to the server. I drop a cable to the second access point, so its now connected to the the same switch. Things seem to be a bit faster.

I do have a nagging issue with Quickbooks. The user that opens it on a regular basis says its slow. She is connected to the access point that is connected to the switch and sites 15 feet from the access point.

The office space is in an old house, so it would be a challenge to wire the place.

See below for the configs.

workstation

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : miller.local
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Cont
roller
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-14-22-CD-15-8B
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.54
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.10
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.10
Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.10
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Monday, November 13, 2006 6:27:39 PM

Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Tuesday, November 21, 2006 6:27:39 P

Server

(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ipconfig /all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : MILLERSERVER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . : miller.local
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : Yes
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : miller.local

Ethernet adapter Server Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/1000 MT Network Connection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-13-72-FE-3A-D6
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.10
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.10
Primary WINS Server . . . . . . . : 192.168.11.10

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

manicsquirrel

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jtcomstock

ASKER

Yes, it is Quickbooks 2006. I will try that tip on installing on the server.

There are not cordless phones and I'm using channel 11 on the APs. I did find that using one in a repeater mode for the other does create some issues. This has been changed.

I'm all for wire. I've put a quote in front of the owner. He's not ready to do it yet. The house is 60 plus years old, so there are plaster walls.

I've looked at the server logs. I will check the workstations to see what is occuring.

manicsquirrel

Plaster walls? Ahhhhh. Decorative channel conduit is always an option as well. They sell it at Lowes and Home Depot. I think you can get it in bone, ivory, white and tan. It's self adhesive and you put it on the wall and run the ethernet through it. Although the last place I did that couldn't have a wall fish was a hotel that had steel-reinforced concrete walls. We put a decorative crown moulding around the ceiling and ran the ethernet in it. But crown moulding is pretty pricey.

jtcomstock

ASKER

That's an option. They do make cabinets, so I think i could come up with crown molding.

SOLUTION

Jeffrey Kane - TechSoEasy

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jtcomstock

ASKER

Sorry for leaving this question open for so long. The resolution to this problem is to get wiring installed. We did a couple of runs from the server switch to the access points so that we could drop repeater mode. This helped.

The business owner has decided to go with wiring, as he has observed the performance improvement for a couple of workstatations that are now wired.

Lesson learned about using wireless in a server environment.

Jason