Suggestions for improving network access speed, XP prof. Workgroup
Hi all,
This is a very small network of 4 PCs. XP professional is installed on all of them. Using Windows File sharing via Workgroup access.
All PCs are connected by an 8-Port D-Link switch. One of them is acting as a server. All of the PCs have 10/100 mbps Nics except for the Server which has a 1Gbps NIC. All Data is kept on the server. There is an old 16-bit Foxpro DOS Application which is maintaining the data structures.
Now all the PCs seem to connect and interact with the Server very slowly (say a wait period of 15-20 seconds at times). Part of this is due to an excessive number of Small files which are generated as Temporary Index files by the Application. They need to be cleaned up on exit or regularly after 10-15 days manually.
I have set all the NICs to maximum speed of 100 mbps full duplex in the NIC properties of Device Manager and so far not seeing any improvement.
Is it the limitation of the 16-bit DOS application or should I upgrade the other 3 PCs with 1 Gbps NICs?
Going for a software upgrade is not a feasible option as the software is highly customised for our work process.
Any other ideas?
Ravi.
This is a very small network of 4 PCs. XP professional is installed on all of them. Using Windows File sharing via Workgroup access.
All PCs are connected by an 8-Port D-Link switch. One of them is acting as a server. All of the PCs have 10/100 mbps Nics except for the Server which has a 1Gbps NIC. All Data is kept on the server. There is an old 16-bit Foxpro DOS Application which is maintaining the data structures.
Now all the PCs seem to connect and interact with the Server very slowly (say a wait period of 15-20 seconds at times). Part of this is due to an excessive number of Small files which are generated as Temporary Index files by the Application. They need to be cleaned up on exit or regularly after 10-15 days manually.
I have set all the NICs to maximum speed of 100 mbps full duplex in the NIC properties of Device Manager and so far not seeing any improvement.
Is it the limitation of the 16-bit DOS application or should I upgrade the other 3 PCs with 1 Gbps NICs?
Going for a software upgrade is not a feasible option as the software is highly customised for our work process.
Any other ideas?
Ravi.
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ASKER
Just one more thing,
I would want to use Foxpro 16-Bit Dos on the SBS as it is the basic requirement of our work process. Does it support that? Sorry for the question in a question!
Ravi.
I would want to use Foxpro 16-Bit Dos on the SBS as it is the basic requirement of our work process. Does it support that? Sorry for the question in a question!
Ravi.
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I can't see how static IPs Will help dhcp is not done by xp anyway
ASKER
@KCTS
I am not at the workplace now. Will be getting to you tomorrow.
@senad
I agree with you about the homegroup thing but all these machines (other than the server) are quite old running P4 and AMD athlon with 512MB Rams. To support Windows 7, I would have to go in for a major hardware upgrade for all the 3 machines which I am currently not willing to do. Thank you for the input.
@Timoros
The machines are already using Static IPs. Adding a Second Hard disk seems appealing. The Server does not handle printing so spool folder is no issue here. If I am missing something about Spool, please clarify. About the Pagefile I somewhat disagree, I have never been in favor of putting off the Pagefile even if I had 4 Gb Ram.
Thank you all, will be posting back tomorrow.
Ravi.
I am not at the workplace now. Will be getting to you tomorrow.
@senad
I agree with you about the homegroup thing but all these machines (other than the server) are quite old running P4 and AMD athlon with 512MB Rams. To support Windows 7, I would have to go in for a major hardware upgrade for all the 3 machines which I am currently not willing to do. Thank you for the input.
@Timoros
The machines are already using Static IPs. Adding a Second Hard disk seems appealing. The Server does not handle printing so spool folder is no issue here. If I am missing something about Spool, please clarify. About the Pagefile I somewhat disagree, I have never been in favor of putting off the Pagefile even if I had 4 Gb Ram.
Thank you all, will be posting back tomorrow.
Ravi.
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ASKER
Thank you all, I think NAS or SBS is the way to go for me. Sorry there were too many good ideas & too little points to distribute, So I guess I made my judgement accordingly. Forgive me if you think I gave you a less share of the points you deserved.
Ravi.
Ravi.
ASKER
It means I have exhausted all of my current options and an upgrade to SBS will be the best thing for now. Will it really improve the access speed of files over the network as per my question. Just had a doubt in mind. Please clarify further, I know you cleared most of the doubts in your first comment itself.
Ravi.