I am working on a server at a small school. They have their Dell server setup to distribute the cable modem connection to about 30 PCs. The internet is very fast on the server, but slower than dialup on all the workstations. This is a new server. The old server had no problems sharing the internet access. Does anyone have any ideas for me to try? We have to get this fixed ASAP (the school admins are not happy with the slow internet speed). Thanks for your help!

How is this set up? ICS? ISA Server? Some other 3rd-party program? Is it acting as a firewall or proxy? Is it slow all the time, or only at certain times? Are other forms of access fast (file sharing, SQL, e-mail, etc.)? Kerry ------------------------ /bb{^b{2}/ that is the Question

It is setup as a proxy server, just like the old server was. We have never had to use a special program for this. We have the NAT filtering configured in Windows 2003. It is slow all the time. File sharing is very fast. We don't have SQL or email on the server (it is just a domain controller and proxy).

So you have a network bridge set up? It would suspect that your speed problems are due to the way the bridge is configured. I'm not sure exactly how to fix it, but I would start by updating any drivers and re-installing the bridge. If it is truly a proxy, then you must be using *some* sort of software.... Kerry ------------------------ /bb{^b{2}/ that is the Question

I know the drivers are fully up to date (Dell software automatically updated when I first got the server). I did try to reinstall the bridge, to no success. FYI: on all the workstation computers, the internet settings are automatically configured and I do not need to set a port number for internet connection. Does anyone have any other ideas or know of any good *free* proxy software programs (if this would solve the problem)?? Thanks for your assistance. I really appreciate it.

There are plenty of free programs for *NIX. On the Windows side, pickings are slim, and the free programs are somewhat crappy. I would look into getting an appliance instead of using a network bridge. Even a very cheap unit (D-Link or Netgear) would provide you much more control and be much faster. Most "routers" or "gateways" (or whatever they call them) have server pass-through options and DMZ options. And let's not forget, sharing an un-firewalled Internet connection with 30 PCs can be disaterous. If the school district won't pay for it, I would suggest taking a collection from the users -- you should be able to get $3 from each and have enough to get a moderate Netgear. Kerry ------------------------ /bb{^b{2}/ that is the Question

We did get a router last week. It is the Linksys Instant Broadband™ EtherFast® Cable/DSL Firewall Router with 4-Port Switch/VPN Endpoint. I am guessing that we might not have everything setup right (no speed change). I attached an image of a basic sketch I did of how the signal goes from the cable modem to the computers in the building. The fiber runs go to each of our other 5 buildings on campus. In each of these buildings, there is another fiber to cat6 converter that is hooked up to the network switch. Let me know if you have any questions. We are open to any suggestions on how to rewire anything, so that the router works better (just as long as we can still use the server for file sharing and domain login)