ssh tunnel slow with opensuse 12.1

clkennedy · 03-11-2012, 06:09 PM

I currently remotely administer several customer computers running suse 11.1 and kde3.5. Now that KDE4 has matured to a usable status I recently built a web server for a customer using opensuse 12.1. Overall I'm pleased with it with one exception.

I find it convenient to use ssh -X to access these remote computers for administration. From there I can run kate or yast2 (graphical) as needed without being encumbered by VNC. I've been using this procedure for years with acceptable results till 12.1. I don't know if it's a 12.1 thing or a KDE4 thing but it takes at least 10x longer to load and run a graphical application than I've previously experienced. Let me say that this 12.1 machine is at the same site and on the same network as two 11.1 boxes running KDE3.5 with lesser horse power. The ssh tunneling performance on these two machines is much much better than the 12.1 server.

Anyone have some insight about this with a possible fix?

Thanks ...

unSpawn · 03-12-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkennedy

Now that KDE4 has matured to a usable status I recently built a web server for a customer using opensuse 12.1.

What does Desktop Environment choice have to do with servers I wonder? Aren't they supposed to run headless and with a minimum of software installed?..

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkennedy

I don't know if it's a 12.1 thing or a KDE4 thing but it takes at least 10x longer to load and run a graphical application than I've previously experienced. Let me say that this 12.1 machine is at the same site and on the same network as two 11.1 boxes running KDE3.5 with lesser horse power. The ssh tunneling performance on these two machines is much much better than the 12.1 server.

First thing I'd check (diff between 11.1 and 12.1?) is sshd_config for unnecessary or unwanted stuff (like enabled GSSAPI if you don't need it) and client side ssh config, then network configuration (name resolution, IPv6 in use, routing, throughput). If that doesn't show anything then it's on to running a separate sshd with a separate config on a separate port with "-d -d -d" and the client with "-v -v -v" on both 11.1 and 12.1 and see if that shows any clues.

clkennedy · 03-12-2012, 01:42 PM

First -- thanks for responding.

Yes, you're right. Traditionally such servers are headless and gui-less. In this case though the server is for low impact use by a small mom and pop business where gui or not makes no noticeable difference in performance. Given the ease of admin with the gui that's the route I took. The 11.1 boxes are both configured as desktop machines.

Also, after some reflection, I really don't know if the problem is a slow ssh tunnel, or if it's just slow serving up the KDE4 apps.

As for your suggestions, I'll play around with that and get back to you.

Once again, thank you for your response.

Cliff