Slow Squid or ISP?

Roach · 09-20-2004, 09:55 AM

Hi All

I've recently installed a 128K fibre-link to my ISP. In Zimbabwe, we are limited to 64K outgoing requests - set by the government, can't help that, but our incoming requests are unlimited.

I've just set up my Squid as per recommendations from other threads, but my Internet is still like syrup.

Here's my Squid.conf

Code:

http_port 8080
cache_effective_user squid
cache_effective_group squid
icp_port 0
log_icp_queries off
cache_access_log /var/log/squid/access
cache_log /var/log/squid/log
cache_store_log none
debug_options ALL,1
buffered_logs on
emulate_httpd_log on
maximum_object_size 4096 KB
cache_mem 16 MB
cache_dir ufs /usr/local/squid/cache 200 16 256
ftp_user ftp@
forwarded_for off
quick_abort_min 16 KB
quick_abort_max 16 KB
quick_abort_pct 95
acl QUERY urlpath_regex cgi-bin \?
acl website dst 192.168.1.5/32
acl PHP url_regex .php?
no_cache deny website
no_cache deny QUERY
no_cache deny PHP
acl Safe_ports port 80 21 443 563 591 70 210 1025-65535
acl manager proto cache_object
acl all src 0.0.0.0/0.0.0.0
acl allowed_hosts src 192.168.2.0/255.255.255.0
acl localhost src 127.0.0.1/255.255.255.255
acl SSL_ports port 443 563
acl CONNECT method CONNECT
http_access allow manager localhost
http_access deny manager
http_access deny !Safe_ports
http_access deny CONNECT !SSL_ports
http_access allow allowed_hosts
http_access deny all
cache_mgr roach@nerdshack.com
append_domain .uoregon.edu

Anyone got any ideas on how I can speed up my browsing, mail etc....

Thanks in Advance

R :-)

the manual!!

Pcghost · 09-20-2004, 01:45 PM

First, how is the speed when surfing from the squid machine (not going through the proxy)? Second, to really see the speed increases due to Squid, it will take some time (depending on # of users and how much surfing takes place) for the cache to build up. How many users are you setting this up for? It makes a big difference on how you set up the cache.

Roach · 09-21-2004, 02:00 AM

Pcghost

Was half hoping you'd reply - most of my networking issues are solved by you!! (no favouritism intended!!!!)

If I surf from my router, without the squid, the speed is quite good. I agree about the more the cache builds up, and my speeds are fair/good from my router direct. How does my .conf file look? Any suggestions?

I have 12 users.

Thanks for your reply.

R

Pcghost · 09-21-2004, 04:31 PM

It looks good from my end. Why use http-style log files? I like to keep them in the default Squid format so Sarg and Squint can process them.

When you say you are limited to 64K outbound, you mean upstream right? Meaning if you upload files somewhere on the web, that is your max bandwidth? That still should not be a problem with only 12 users, provided no one is abusing your connection (ie Peer-to-Peer). Normal web page requests are very small.

What are the specs of the Squid machine (Processor, Memory, etc)? When the system is under a normal load, what does 'top' tell you about processor and memory usage?

Edit: And thanks for the vote of confidence. :-)

Roach · 09-22-2004, 07:03 AM

Yup, I mean't upstream.

Looking at my 'top' I could use a little bit more memory. (Only using 128Mb in my Squid Machine)

My ISP phoned today, to apologise for their slow speeds, and say they're upgrading their Satellite link.

Will see if things improve from there.

Anytime on the vote of confidence!!

R :-)

Pcghost · 09-22-2004, 01:28 PM

128MB is a bit low for a Squid server. I would stick another 128 or better in it if you can. I run ours with 512MB, but then again it supports 147 people. Hard drive speed can also effect Squid performance, but not as much as low memory in my opinion. I would let the ISP work out their difficulties before putting to much effort into tuning Squid. That way you are sure you have a decent connection as a baseline.

jymbo · 09-22-2004, 03:11 PM

With your current cache_dir and cache_mem settings, you'll need approximately 38MB of DEDICATED RAM for squid to work efficiently. Now factor in the amount of RAM the OS actually consumes (you're not running X11 on this box, are you?), plus the other services on the box, and see if you've gone over your system's total physical RAM. If the squid box starts to swap-out, then squid will grind to a crawl.