Intel NIC (e1000) low performance, what is my fault?

[waterloo81]

Hello!

I have a strange problem!

My ESX 3.5 Server has a very slow network throughput. ( I think? )

I use two Intel NIC's

Intel Quad Port, PCI-X 133Mhz

Intel Dual Port, PCI-X 66Mhz

and on the VM's i use the virtual Intel NIC e1000

The max throughput on Windows VM's up to 25MB/sec (Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 Std. Server)

The max throughput on Linux VM's is up to 18MB/sec (SLES1, openSUSE, Ubuntu)

And when i copy some files from the ESX Datastores to my Workstationsis the max throughput is 12-13MB/sec

my Harddisks speed is more than 60MB/sec, and i have read, that some other ESX Servers can do more than 50MB/sec with Intel NIC's

What can be my fault?

Is there a fault?

What is the normal throughput with a Intel NIC?

Can i do some improvements?

regards....

-

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edit :

some more information about my config:

all VM's have VM-Tools installed and installed with LSI SCSI Virtual Controller

my ESX Server is a

DUAL XEON 2.8Ghz with HT, 4GB RAM,

HP/ADAPTEC 2610SA 6Port SATA,

WDC RAPTOR 150GB 10K/Rpm Disks in Raid 0, no SAN (all Disks in the Server)

Windows VM's have installed new Intel NIC drivers (v13.5)

Linux VM's with standard e1000 kernel included drivers

edit end...

thank you for some help!

regards

[mikepodoherty]

Have you verified that your NICs, switches, routers, etc are all set to autonegotiate speed and duplex?

[waterloo81]

yes

do you have some other ideas?

[drummonds]

Here's a good generalization for you on IO performance (for both network and storage.) If the host CPU utlization is pegged, you've usually run into a hypervisor-based bottleneck. In your case, this might mean vmxnet not being properly installed or your CPUs are too old to handle high network throughput. If the host CPU utilization remains low, you've usually run into a network hardware or interconnect issue. Try reducing this problem by using a crossover cable between your VM and a second system.

Scott

[waterloo81]

"vmxnet not being properly installed"

how can i check this ?

the VM's are installed with the e1000 driver (not the amd-net or vmx-net)

"or your CPUs are too old"

i am running on

2x Intel XEON 2.8GHz, 533FSB with Hypertreading Socket 604

ASUS PP-DLW Mainboard

What is the theoretic maximum network throughput? (in KB/sec)

Are there any opportunities to edit settings on the ESX Host?

[waterloo81]

crossovercable is still the same bad performance

is there any one who can really help me, please ?

[drummonds]

Is CPU saturated? Check esxtop. If it is, follow the vmxnet path.

Is CPU not saturated? This is probably another hardware problem.

You didn't comment on which was the case before. As for checking whether vmxnet is installed or not, it depends on your guest OS, which you haven't mentioned.

Scott

[waterloo81]

problem found!

harddrive defektive

thanks for all help

[waterloo81]

problem was a defektive harddrive