Serving huge files

Mole · - Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 3 Location: Thailand

I am serving big files around 300-500 MB.

It is on a dedicated server running Windows XP.

Is it normal when many people starts downloading that the whole system just slows down to a crawl. CPU usage and system resources are at a minimum, but everything is real slow.

Takes forever to be able to logon using remote access.

What is causing this slow down?

Thanks for any help.

nquin321 · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2004 11:34 pm Post subject:

if you are serving files that big you should get an ftp server and limit the users download speed
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iNaNimAtE · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 3:44 am Post subject: Re: Serving huge files

TRUSTAbyss · - Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 3752 Location: USA, GA

Here's what I do , I used a FTP when I was offering a free copy of Nortan which
someone said it was illegal so I deleted it and the file was around 166 MB , You
should really use a FTP server for serving very big files but on Abyss you should
only use maybe up to 1 MB files at least thats what I try only serving , later!

aprelium · - Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 6800

Mole,

The problem you have will happen with any server. To improve things, you must tune Windows XP to be in Server mode (and not in desktop mode). This makes networking better. Besides, all depends on the XP version you're using. Microsoft limits the networking capabilities of the Home release to push people with professional needs to buy the Pro version. Even XP Pro is limited in some areas (to force people to buy 2003).
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iNaNimAtE · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2004 2:59 am Post subject: Re: Serving huge files

rado · - Joined: 14 Apr 2004 Posts: 67

aprelium
"Microsoft limits the networking capabilities of the Home release to push people with professional needs to buy the Pro version. Even XP Pro is limited in some areas (to force people to buy 2003)."

What that mean? Is there a limit of number of connections or what?
Thanks!

Anonymoose · - Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 2192

10 concurrent connections on XP Pro, 5 on XP Home.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314882

Foxified · - Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 487 Location: Canada

TRUSTAbyss · - Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 3752 Location: USA, GA

I think it can only limit connections if the XP Firewall is turned on , if XP Firewall
is off , you shouldn't have any problems with Inbound connections. 8)

iNaNimAtE · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:49 am Post subject:

That is seriously wrong. Even with XP Firewall turned off, I still think they can limit you.

I'm running Windows XP Professional. Maybe I can get 15 or so people to connect to my website simultaneously, and see if this is true.
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Anonymoose · - Joined: 09 Sep 2003 Posts: 2192

XP firewall has nothing to do with it, it's at a basic level in the network code... I've only ever run into problems on Netbios shares, but then, I'm the only person accessing my server :lol:

iNaNimAtE · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:23 am Post subject:

That's the problem; I have no way of testing this out.
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TRUSTAbyss · - Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 3752 Location: USA, GA

Microsoft really does suck if this is true im getting my win98 server back ! 8)

nquin321 · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 3:24 pm Post subject:

even with the 5 connection limit, most small sites are not going to get 5 requests at the exact same time

iNaNimAtE · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:28 pm Post subject:

Well actually, there is a way to download Server 2003 straight from the Microsoft website; but I am scared of trying to activate it. At least it doesn't have a connection limit.
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WolfRamiO · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 11:50 am Post subject:

Where i change the PC Type??? on XP and Y2K

olly86 · - Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 993 Location: Wiltshire, UK

WolfRamiO · Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Serving huge files

[quote="aprelium"]Mole,

The problem you have will happen with any server. To improve things, you must tune Windows XP to be in Server mode (and not in desktop mode). This makes networking better.

That!

aprelium · - Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 6800

WolfRamiO,

In Windows 2000, it is in Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Application response. In XP, it should be in the same location (i.e. in the System panel.)
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CapFusion · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:52 pm Post subject:

WinXP - Home and Pro have limited connection
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314882

As for preformance wise, it really depend on your whole box.
CPU + System Mem Size + HD [Speed]. These are critical components to have good performance.

When ICF of Windows XP is on / enable, it does not limited the connection. Prettty much it close the post except for the standard port. When ICF disble, Windows Pro will still get 10 max and Home get 5 max.

If wanting more concurrent connection, try Win2k3 or SBS server.
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WolfRamiO · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 8:54 am Post subject:

THX Aprelium!... but i just got the opcion to set priority to the background services V/s aplication... is that what do you mean?

and remeber guys, XP is not an server OS... NT, 2000 and 2003 was design for that

aprelium · - Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 6800

WolfRamiO,

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/en/server/help/default.asp?url=/windows2000/en/server/help/sysdm_advancd_perform_usage_assign_resources.htm .
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CapFusion · Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2004 7:57 pm Post subject:

WolfRamiO,

Changing the priority will help abit if that PC is only doing nothing else except that service or application. The only best way to make a PC faster is to have it running on memory instead of caching on HD. So it is best to have ton of memory and CPU power to process in timely manner.

Regarding to the OP [Mole] question about large file transfer [300-500MB] by FTP.
This rely on mainly two factor:
Bandwidth UL on his side
HardDrive.
Most people will have problem in Bandwidth on how much it can carry through his pipe. HD will also make slow thing down too if there too many Read/Write process.

CPU is another factor.
The more connection / session, each thread will give another load or TAX to your CPU process. This maybe affect by your HD and it controller with FTP on how much load / tax it will need for each task.

Each packet need to be finish before another pocket will be send out. If you have a slow PC and your friend have a fast PC but your friend have a smaller bandwidth, which one have the priority? I bet your friend PC. If eventhough you have a bigger pipe, you may not be able to use the full bandwidth.

Above are just a general idea why Server NEED good CPU / HD / Memory.
You can get by with slow PC for home use.
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AbyssUnderground · - Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Posts: 3855

When i thought about the connection limit myself, i think it is only for accessing network resources, not for website hosting, and this makes much more sense as networks are faster and need limiting to prevent the computer from crashing.

I went by the principal that if your computer is connected to a router, you only need one incoming and one outgoing connection between the router and the computer, therefore, you will only be using 2 of the 10 connections that XP Pro offers or 2 of the 5 connections XP Home offers.

I may not be correct but this is my theory...

Argue away!
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gibsonmd · - Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1

My problem seems to be that I'm speed limited per connection. Using http or ftp from my xp pro.. i can't seem to get above 1.5 Mb. I have it on a 10Mb connectin. If I open multple connections to the same file then it goes faster. Any body know any way around this?

aprelium · - Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Posts: 6800