[seul-edu] Re: slow networking

[Dave Prentice <dprentice@uno.edu>]

To All:
    I am trying to download some good software with my new Internet
connection even before I get the clients to run through a firewall. However,
on a download, the speed is only about 6 or 7k/sec and has frequent
interruptions. It seems to time out after 45 minutes or so, preventing a
successful download of large files.
    I asked why it's so slow, but the school district tech support turns up
its nose at Linux, especially running on old machines (like they're going to
give me new ones!). They said the backbone is running about 360mhz and the
school network at 100mhz, and that's all they can do. Does anybody know a
way I can test and/or optimize the speed of connection?
    Software: Netscape on Redhat 6.2. Hardware: tried on both a Pentium 133
and a 486-66, each with 10mhz SMC-Ultra NIC. 32meg RAM on the Pentium, 40meg
on the 486. (Both maxed out with 8meg SIMMS - any 16meg donations gratefully
accepted!)
Thanks,
Dave Prentice
prentice@instruction.com