Default Bandwidth Restriction in Slackware?

lobotomy42 · 04-23-2006, 03:32 PM

I'm setting up a Slackware box to use occassionally as a personal webserver. (Nothing too serious, mostly just to tinker around with and store some personal, but relatively unimportant files.)

Everything seems to be going smoothly, with apache, vsftpd and mysql set up the way I want them, except for one really annoying problem: It seems that bandwidth coming *out* of the server is severely restricted. I can download to the server from other computers on my network (and the web) at speeds upwards of 300k/s. But when any other computer tries to download from it (via HTTP, FTP, SFTP or DirectConnect), it seems impossible to get speeds of more than 4 or 5 kb/s.

I haven't ruled out the possibility of a hardware problem. However, I have tried changing network cables, changing switches, changing positions of the cables within the switch, all to no avail. For what it's worth, my Powerbook running apache has no problem when other computers try to download from it.

So, my question is: Does Slackware have some system-level bandwidth limiting going on that I've been completely unaware of? I've tried poking around various configuration files, but I'm not even sure who controls things like that. (Or if such a place exists.) Inetd?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Gethyn · 04-23-2006, 05:01 PM

Are you sure it's not because you're on ADSL? Upload speeds are usually much lower on these connections than downloads.

Tinkster · 04-23-2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lobotomy42

I'm setting up a Slackware box to use occassionally as a personal webserver. (Nothing too serious, mostly just to tinker around with and store some personal, but relatively unimportant files.)

Everything seems to be going smoothly, with apache, vsftpd and mysql set up the way I want them, except for one really annoying problem: It seems that bandwidth coming *out* of the server is severely restricted. I can download to the server from other computers on my network (and the web) at speeds upwards of 300k/s. But when any other computer tries to download from it (via HTTP, FTP, SFTP or DirectConnect), it seems impossible to get speeds of more than 4 or 5 kb/s.

I haven't ruled out the possibility of a hardware problem. However, I have tried changing network cables, changing switches, changing positions of the cables within the switch, all to no avail. For what it's worth, my Powerbook running apache has no problem when other computers try to download from it.

So, my question is: Does Slackware have some system-level bandwidth limiting going on that I've been completely unaware of? I've tried poking around various configuration files, but I'm not even sure who controls things like that. (Or if such a place exists.) Inetd?

Any help would be much appreciated. :)

Would be nice to get some details about the hardware ... the speed you're
suggesting as the upload almost sounds like a 56K modem ;) ... and no,
there is no such thing as a default-speed-limit on slackware.

Cheers,
Tink

sunman · 04-23-2006, 07:52 PM

I'd have to go along with Gethyn on this one that it might be your isp connection, I have a cable connection, and while I can download at up to about 400K/sec my upload speeds only go up to 20-30K a sec.

lobotomy42 · 04-23-2006, 07:57 PM

Not DSL - the file transfers I've done so far have just been from computer to computer on a local network.

Right. The network set up is this: I have my Powerbook, the Slack box, and another PC desktop all plugged into a 10/100 switch in my dorm room - this switch then uplinks to my campus network. (Another possible source of odd behavior, I know. When I get a chance, I'll disconnect the whole thing and see if the behavior persists with self-assigned IPs.)

Specifically, my Slack box has an Asus motherboard from a few years back with an onboard 10/100 LAN connection which I've been using. I don't know the model number offhand, but that can be looked up if there's any chance it's relevant.

If it's any help at all, here's the rest of my known system specs:
Athlon XP 2400+
1.5 GB DDR RAM
Radeon 9600 Pro
80 GB 7200 RPM HD (IBM?)

That's more or less it. There's also an PlexWriter CD-ROM of some sort. And some USB peripherals.

Hmmm..so perhaps this isn't a Slackware question as much as a hardware question. Man, do I hate those. :P

Anyway, I suppose I'll keep tinkering with things. If any thoughts come to you, though, please let me know!

Tinkster · 04-24-2006, 01:32 AM

lspci -v

And yes, the network hardware *would* be important in that
scenario. Also, have a look at
/var/log/syslog
/var/log/debug
/var/log/messages
to check whether there's any "known problems" with the card.

Cheers,
Tink

lobotomy42 · 05-07-2006, 01:52 PM

So, the problem turns out to be a faulty network cable. I hate hardware. It's so inelegant. :P

Tinkster · 05-07-2006, 03:04 PM

Hehe... thanks for updating the thread! :)

Cheers,
Tink