the_cyman
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Slow and fluctuating server network speeds in a new data center
We have an FTP server in a data center and we just switched to a new network provider.
Before the switch, things were just fine.
We then switched to a new network provider in the exact same building (there are multiple companies that provide network services in that data center) and things have been very troublesome...
The speeds kept fluctuating and were at first extremely low, like fluctuating between 20 kBps and 100 kBps. Usually more like 20 kBps.
THEN- They said they changed the port speed on their router to auto-negotiate, and that improved things a lot, but we still have serious connection issues.
The speeds are now about 100-200 kBps and some people have no problems at all, but some people have a lot of trouble with proper speed and, while its unclear whose end it is on, even some supposed dropped connections.
Our VMware server, which is on the new network, is also having trouble with dropped connections.
Another thing is, maybe its just me, but the CPU seems busier than usual.
Before the switch, things were just fine.
We then switched to a new network provider in the exact same building (there are multiple companies that provide network services in that data center) and things have been very troublesome...
The speeds kept fluctuating and were at first extremely low, like fluctuating between 20 kBps and 100 kBps. Usually more like 20 kBps.
THEN- They said they changed the port speed on their router to auto-negotiate, and that improved things a lot, but we still have serious connection issues.
The speeds are now about 100-200 kBps and some people have no problems at all, but some people have a lot of trouble with proper speed and, while its unclear whose end it is on, even some supposed dropped connections.
Our VMware server, which is on the new network, is also having trouble with dropped connections.
Another thing is, maybe its just me, but the CPU seems busier than usual.
ASKER
No, I don't think others are having issues but its hard to tell. We currently use a unmanaged switch. Is there any way to force the switch to 100 Mbit?
Or will we need to get a new switch?
Or will we need to get a new switch?
ASKER
Also, is it possible that our network bandwidth just stinks? Like, maybe the VMware issue is separate. But as for others, maybe the transfer speeds are just poor because the provider is poor. Maybe they use Cogent... But to get the magnitude of speed difference with this new provider:
- Someone in India who got 90 kBytesps now gets 40 kBytesps
- Someone who gets 1000 kBytes ps now gets 200-300 kBytes ps
All the above are relatively far from us.
Also... Our upload speed is like WAY faster than our download speed. We are not very congested, maybe 10 simultaneous transfers at most.
Our connection is fiber, 100 mbits/ps
- Someone in India who got 90 kBytesps now gets 40 kBytesps
- Someone who gets 1000 kBytes ps now gets 200-300 kBytes ps
All the above are relatively far from us.
Also... Our upload speed is like WAY faster than our download speed. We are not very congested, maybe 10 simultaneous transfers at most.
Our connection is fiber, 100 mbits/ps
If you truly have 100 Mbps Internet connection then more than likely any bandwidth issues should end up on the remote site as 100 Mbps is typically way more bandwidth than what most people have. Unless you have hundreds or thousands of connections tring to transfers at the same time.
You may want to go to www.speedtest.net and pick a test server near you and see what you get.
You may want to go to www.speedtest.net and pick a test server near you and see what you get.
ASKER
Ok, so how do we change our port speed if we have an unmanaged gigabit port?
The connection setup is this:
PROVIDER'S CISCO ROUTER -> Our DLink DGS 1024D (unmanaged switch, in our colo rack) -> Our 3 servers.
Would we need to get a managed switch in this case?
The connection setup is this:
PROVIDER'S CISCO ROUTER -> Our DLink DGS 1024D (unmanaged switch, in our colo rack) -> Our 3 servers.
Would we need to get a managed switch in this case?
Did you do the speed test? What did you get?
If you wanted to set the port speed you would need a managed switch.
However, today most unmanaged switches work just fine.
Can you setup a test where you copy from one VM to another VM within your VM server and see what the performance is?
Do you have multiple physical computers at that site? If so, can you copy a file between the two and see what the performance is?
If you wanted to set the port speed you would need a managed switch.
However, today most unmanaged switches work just fine.
Can you setup a test where you copy from one VM to another VM within your VM server and see what the performance is?
Do you have multiple physical computers at that site? If so, can you copy a file between the two and see what the performance is?
ASKER
Ok I am convinced it is a port speed issue... But so what can I do given that we have an unmanaged switch?
Would it be enough just to set the port speed on the servers themselves (in Windows networking)?
Would it be enough just to set the port speed on the servers themselves (in Windows networking)?
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ASKER
Thanks guys, things seem better now tho we are still doing tests.
Even with both sides set to auto, they may not negotiate correctly. Unless you have gigabit fiber on both ends, hard coded the maximum speed and duplex is best.
What is the bandwidth you have? If you are getting 200 kBps max, that is just a bit over T1 (1.54 Mbps) speeds.
Do you know of other companies in the same data center that are using this same provider? Are they having problems?