SBS 2003 and XP/Vista = Very slow network browsing

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Hi Guys,

I have this problem at one of our clients and it only started 2 weeks ago.

Mapping network drives takes forever, even if you use the IP.
We have an SME server there as well and browsing that is pretty fast.
Task manager on the server shows about no cpu usage.
Mem usage is normal.
Network usage also seems normal.
It's not the antivirus (Trend Micro)

I don't think it is DNS, as we didn't change anything and we have the same problem even if you use the IP.

Switches are 10/100. We have ordered 1GB switches, but still waiting for them.

What else can I test?

 

[Zpeedy]

Use Event Viewer to check for logged errors.
Use Network Monitor to view traffic during mapping task.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

When I restart the server, the problem with be gone for about 12hours then it starts again.

Something else to mention as well. I have the same problem on the server itself when I use it's unc name to browse.

Also, You cannot go into AD Users and Computers or any of the other AD tools. I have to restart to fix this. All the services that needs to be running, are.

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=14295&cat=500

 

[Conradl]

Since your problem exists when connecting locally you can rule out networking as a cause. To me it sounds like the server is trying to authenticate to a non-existent or offline domain, and timing out, hence the long time to open. I would check DNS and domain sites and services.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

I was thinking DNS as well, but since it does the same with the IP address and we didn't change anything, I kinda ruled that out. As for the non-existent or offline domain, this server is and was (for at least 2 years) the only domain controller...

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Sounds like the same problem we've got, except that the problem occurs randomly after a period of 24 hours. When this happens we can ping the server(s) but we cannot access the servers or any of its services at all.

I created a script to reboot the server every day at midnight to keep things running.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

LoL, that's not really a solution. I am restarting the server as well every night. The only solution I have now, is waiting for the Gigabit switches and then move all the files to a different server.

 

[Conradl]

DNS could still be a problem. You connect to the share using an IP, but the Authorisation and Authentication still uses DNS - and I think that process is timing out and slowing your system down.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Do you know of a tool I can use to do like DNS health check? I've been googling it, but only get like online "internet" DNS stuff.

 

[Conradl]

Do you know of a tool I can use to do like DNS health check? I've been googling it, but only get like online "internet" DNS stuff.

NSlookup is the only way I know. You in Midrand, I'll be in the area shortly if you want me to take a look?

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

The client is in auckland park. Thanx for the offer though.

Will do a couple of tests with nslookup and check if I get any errors.

 

[bekdik]

Try running from command line:

dfsutil /PurgeMupCache

 

[PallBearer]

i had a funny issue that could be the same as yours.

i was copying audio to my network share and it was only 60mb, but time was taking forever! like 600 minutes left to finish.

checked the NIC setting and it was set to 100/FULL, Switch was on Auto, Changed the NIC to AUTO and it was lightning quick again.
200mb files would take hours, but now just a few seconds.

Try it, wont hurt.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Hey PallBearer, that was one of the first things that I checked. It's on Auto. Going there in a few mins with the new switches and then I will try bekdik's advise.

 

[Conradl]

The client is in auckland park. Thanx for the offer though.

Will do a couple of tests with nslookup and check if I get any errors.

LOL, I'll in Braamfontein tomorrow so the offer stands

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Hehehe, I think we should meet up, as I have remote access to that server as well. They didn't allow us to install the switches today, so that will only go in tomorrow after work.

 

[Conradl]

PM if you want to....

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Try running from command line:

dfsutil /PurgeMupCache

Hey,

This didn't work unfortunately. I think I will be taking up Conradl's offer.

 

[EasyUp Web Hosting]

Hey Guys,

Just thought I would post my solution.

First of all, the prev IT guys never removed the old DC completely, there was still DNS entries for it and NTDS services.
Secondly, the RID pool was full. I got a script online to solve this, since the "PDC" wasn't available anymore. Unfortunately I didn't make a note of the site, but I still have the script.

After this, it seems that all my problems as solved. Administrator login used to take forever as well, but I never worried about it, but that is solved as well.

Thanx for everyone's help.