Cost effective way to come out of the slow network

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We have an LAN network within our companies. We're facing problems with a slow network.

We have a network of 200 to 250 workstations running Windows 7.

What is the most cost effective way of solving this?

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Best Answer by Oleksii bagsic
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Answered By 0 points N/A #195094

Cost effective way to come out of the slow network

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There are many solution of this problem.

You have to find the cheaper solution among all according to your local cost and price of equipment.

 

1. RAM in workstations.

�        Increase RAM to prevent paging issues with virtual memory.

�        Increase virtual memory file to be at least 1.5 times the amount of RAM.

2. CPU in workstations.

�        Get Pentium IV CPUs with L2 cache (512 KB) on the processors to permit lightning fast data reuse.

�        Ensure that the bus speed on the motherboard is at least 133 MHz or better.

3. Increase in number of nodes.

�        Analyze network to discover traffic patterns, top talkers, and top listeners.

�        Segment the network into smaller segments to decrease the possibilities of collisions.

�        Also, ensure that the NICs are 10/100 BaseT, and that the cabling is a minimum of CAT-5 UTP.

�        Recommend switches over hubs, because of greater throughput and better efficiency over standard hubs.

Reasons:

Solutions:

4. Increase in traffic and loading.

�        Analyze network to discover traffic patterns, top talkers, and top listeners.

�        Segment the network into smaller segments to decrease the possibilities of collisions.

�        Also, ensure that the NICs are 10/100 BaseT, and that the cabling is a minimum of CAT-5 UTP.

�        Recommend switches over hubs, because of greater throughput and better efficiency over standard hubs.

5.Upgrades in applications (i.e., upgrade in Windows)

�        Ensure that windows registry settings for TCP/IP are optimized.

�        Ensure that each workstation has the most current NIC drivers for the operating system to be able to talk well to the NIC.

�        Ensure that all necessary hot fixes, service packs and patches are applied, both for the operating system and all networked applications that are running on the workstation.

Reasons:

Solutions:

6. New applications (i.e., access to Internet).

�        Check the specs on bandwidth demands (if available) to ensure that the infrastructure supports it.

�        Ensure that none of the new applications have modified any of the operating system files, system settings, and/or any pre-existing applications, such as Internet Explorer.

�        Ensure that each workstation has the most current NIC drivers for the operating system to be able to talk well to the NIC.

�        Ensure that all necessary hot fixes, service packs and patches are applied, both for the operating system and all networked applications that are running on the workstation.

Reasons:

Solutions:

7.Increase in graphics use.

�        Analyze network to discover traffic patterns, top talkers, and top listeners.

�        Ensure that the WAN circuit will support the required bandwidth.

�        Segment the network into smaller segments to decrease the possibilities of collisions.

�        Also, ensure that the NICs are 10/100 BaseT, and that the cabling is a minimum of CAT-5 UTP.

�        Recommend switches over hubs, because of greater throughput and better efficiency over standard hubs.

�        Ensure that windows registry settings for TCP/IP are optimized.

�        Ensure that each workstation has the most current NIC drivers for the operating system to be able to talk well to the NIC.

�        Ensure that all necessary hot fixes, service packs and patches are applied, both for the operating system and all networked applications that are running on the workstation.

Reasons:

Solutions:

8.Configuration problems.

�        Ensure that the TCP/IP settings are correct: Especially check:

o       IP address to be certain it is on the same network as the rest of the machines.

o       Gateway IP address

o       DNS IP address

o       Subnet mask

�        Ensure that the DNS Server configuration is set up properly to forward external requests.

�        Ensure that the internal IP networked resources that are needed are configured in the DNS.

�        Ensure that the DNS is being updated as needed.

�        Check the WINS settings on the client.

�        Check the WINS Server is one is being used to ensure that it is configured correctly.

�        If the network clients use DHCP, ensure that the DHCP Server is configured properly to set up the following correctly:

o       IP

o       Subnet mask

o       Gateway IP

o       DNS Addresses  Primary and Secondary

o       WINS Address

o       Desired leasing period

�        If the network clients use DHCP, ensure that the DHCP Client workstation is configured properly to be a DHCP client.

�        Ensure that windows registry settings for TCP/IP are optimized.

�        Ensure that each workstation has the most current NIC drivers for the operating system to be able to talk well to the NIC.

�        Ensure that all necessary hot fixes, service packs and patches are applied, both for the operating system and all networked applications that are running on the workstation.

�        Check for multiple protocols that may be bound to the NIC card, and eliminate all unnecessary protocols, for example if NETBEUI and/or IPX/SPX are present.

 

Answered By 0 points N/A #195096

Cost effective way to come out of the slow network

qa-featured

Good day

If you are using an old version of the emulator, check if there is an update. The latest version of the emulator usually features several changes and updates that may fix freezing problems. Sound and video card manufacturers offer the latest drivers in the download section of their websites.

Find the name of your video card manufacturer by clicking "Start," "Control Panel" and "Appearance and Personalization." Click "Personalization," "Display Settings," "Advanced Settings" and "Adapter." To find your sound card manufacturer, click "Start," "Control Panel," "System and Maintenance" and "Device Manager." Then click "Sound, video and game controllers." 

I Hope this will help you.
Answered By 0 points N/A #90129

Cost effective way to come out of the slow network

qa-featured

Hi Georgia,

I think the best question for this is "What is causing the network to slow down" Since we are talking about 200 to 250 workstations we need to check a lot of possibilities. Once you have known what is causing the network to slow down then you can take necessary actions for fix it. 

There are a lot of things to be considered when we talk about network slowdown. if it's an internmittent slow down then that should be expected but if the network slow down is too consistent then you need to check what's causing it.

Check NIC of computers. Bad Network Interface Card can cause slow downs because once it goes bad it starts sending out junk packets which will add up to the network traffic.  

You might also want to check if the cabling for the network is set to the right place. You can also use sniffing tools to check the packets that  the network receives there you can determine junk packets. Lastly software based troubleshooting tools for windows you can your "PING" and "TRACEROUTE" by using this you can determine how long a particular device responds.

Regards,

Robyn

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