On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 09:24:05 -0400, Tom Hula <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>We recently switched from a DSL Internet line with 384Kbs
>maximum download to a cable Internet line with a maximum
>of 4 Mbs. Not seeing anywhere near 4 Mbps, the next step
>was to try individual lines hooked directly to the cable modem.
>
>The workstation closest to the computer room was getting
>consistent tests of 4 Mbps whereas the PC furthest away
>was struggling at 1.3 Mbps. So the obvious solution is some
>way to boost the signal to those furthest away.

Tom,

Sounds like it might be a duplex mismatch.  I suspect that some device
plugged into one of the hubs or switches doesn't agree with the hub/switch
on its duplex setting.  Double check the device settings with the duplex
lights on the switches, and make sure nothing plugged into the hubs is
manually set to full duplex.  I've had this happen to me a couple of times
and it seems to cause network performance to drop to about 1.5 mbits.
(Search for "duplex mismatch" for more info.  The following Cisco article
also has some good info: "Troubleshooting Cisco Catalyst Switches to NIC
Compatibility Issues (Document ID: 17053)"
http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/473/46.html )

I have also seem some small hubs (3com officeconnects in this case) lose
their mind after minor power fluctuations.  They'd start giving ~50% packet
loss.  We put a small UPS on those hubs and the problem went away.

Hope that helps.

Edward Berner
Yosemite Community College District

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