Recurring slow down

[bpeirson]

We are running Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Pentium 4, 3GHz, 1.0 GB of RAM. We currently have 9 work stations on the network. Only 4 of the stations are actively used throughout the day. The other 5 are used occasionally during the day.

Network speed is a recurring issue with various culprits named as the fault. We have checked cables, switches and network cards with no problems found. We have rerouted cables away from light balasts etc. with a noticable improvement.

I am now wondering how important RAM is for the server. All user applications reside on the workstations, the server is currently used only to store files (Excel, AutoCAD, Simply accounting, MS Word and Outlook archives).

The recurring slow down we experience happens to 1 or 2 workstations at approximately 4:55 PM. It happens 1 or 2 times per week and it affects 1 of 3 workstations when it happens.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Fatboy0341]

Do you have any antivirus software that might be running an on-demand scan or some updates at those times? That's a longshot but I figured I'd ask.

Just for GP - I would throw another 1 GB of RAM in your server...but for simple file storage with that few users I would doubt that's the issue.

I would like to have a look at the task manager on those workstations when the slowdown occurs. I'd be looking at whether it's a network bottleneck (probably notbecause nobody else is affected) or if CPU utilization hits 100% for a while and what applications or services are eating up all those resources.

Anything in your event/app/system logs at 4:55 PM on those days?











"He who laughs last probably made a backup. He who laughs loudest probably hasn't checked his backups in a while."

 

[Spirit]

No one's using filesharing software are they? Streaming videos or accessing HUGE amounts of data?

But my thoughts are with fatboy with the AV. since its so predictable its almost something scheduled to run at those times.

Iain

 

[bpeirson]

We are sharing Excel workbooks over the network.

We are running Symantec anti-virus with no scheduled scans at that time. I will check for on-demand scan options, maybe lower the level of scanning if that is possible.

The only common theme is Excel. There are no scheduled events at that time, but it is the end of the work day and several people log off, in this order, Excel - Simply Accounting - their workstation.

We recently rewired the office to eliminate (reduce) EMF interference from flourescent light ballasts. The performance generally increased but we still have problems with Excel.

The problems with Excel are limited to VBA routines. Many of our spreadsheets incorporate VBA to speed processes which manually could take hours. A routine which once completed in the blink of an eye can now run up to a full minute. Several of these routines are designed to run in sequence, "A" then "B" then "C" therfore the total wait time can be 3 minutes. 90% of these routines draw information from other workbooks into the active workbook, all workbooks are open before this is done. 3 of the routines open a closed workbook, pull the information then close the workbook without saving changes.

Does anyone know of existing problems with Excel, filesharing and Server 2003.

 

[pagy]

What if you disable/remove the symantec AV as a test from server and workstation, see if performances improves.

I've had problems in the past with symantec AV slowing stuff down.


All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
- Mark Twain

 

[almaragni]

I am currently checking this out - but if you are using AUTOCAD VAULT there is a hotfix for the following ...
======================================
Hotfix: TS1057489
======================================
Slugglishness exists while typing within Microsoft Word when the Autodesk Vault Word Addin is installed. This sluggishness is amplified when working on documents that reside on a remote server or on slow networks.
======================================
System Requirements: Autodesk Vault 5.0
======================================
Files Affected:
======================================
- WordVaultAddin2000.dll (Only for Word 2000)
- WordVaultAddin2003.dll (Only for Word 2003)
- WordVaultAddinXP.dll (Only for Word XP)
======================================
Update Verification:
======================================
The version of the updated DLL is 11.0.118.500.

Obviously if you are not using Vault this would not apply.

 

[bpeirson]

The only common things are multiple user logoff and excel with shared files. I think I will blame Excel, partly because the blame has to lie somewhere.

Any other thoughts.

 

[Fatboy0341]

Any progress on this issue?

I noted that you said scheduled scans might not be running at that time...but what about software/definition updates?

Just something I thought about while checking back on this thread.



"He who laughs last probably made a backup. He who laughs loudest probably hasn't checked his backups in a while."

 

[almaragni]

Not 100% - but we removed a bunch of temp files and useless stuff from temp internet. It seems to have sped up a bit.
thank you for you help and follow up

 

[bpeirson]

Thanks all for the input.

We have removed Symantec and installed a different anti virus software. No Change.

The only common thread now is multiple log off.

Running task manager during these slow downs revealed nothing, its CPU monitor showed little use.

A performance counter log was implemented on the server which showed that CPU usage is consistenet throughout the day, ranging from 87% to 99.5%. Since it is the same all day long then it is not the cause. Also, the same performance log says that the CPU is also idle 95% to 100% at the same time it is busy 87% to 99.5%, there may be a problem with the perf logs in this regard.

The only performance counter that spikes during the slowdown is "system\file control". The value increases by about 1000% (estimate) beginning when people start to log off and remains high until about half an hour after most people have left for the day. This is the only time that this counter spikes, for the rest of the day this counter is at a relative zero value. I can give exact values on monday as the files are at work.

My biggest question now is what is "system\file control"?

What is the purpose and how can I control it.

 

[bpeirson]

The numbers associated with this counter (system file control) average about 3000 bytes per second throughtout the day. When several people log off the numbers jump to an average of 15,000,000 bytes per second. This number seems enormous in comparison, I checked it 3 times. It is about 5000 times more activity.

Any suggestions?

 

[jes16]

bpeirson,

We've been experiencing the same mysterious problem, a slowdown on SBS 2003 at 5 PM. We're running mostly AutoCAD & Photoshop, but also Office 2003 Pro. The problem comes and goes, and only seems to affects 2 guys that are on another floor (the P and VP!).

Our server is a P4 2.8 GHz with 1 GB RAM, so it sounds near to your setup (it's a Dell PowerEdge 800). I am about to install some updates/upgrades (Exchange SP2, 2 GB more RAM & bios upgrade from Rev 00 to Rev 03). Until then, I will check the same things you have, particulary the system/file aspect you just stumbled upon.

We've had this problem for a long time, but I only recently took over admin responsibility for our network. Fingers crossed that we can find an answer.

jes16