Establishing Netwok Connections Slow

Question

Level 1

69 points

Establishing Netwok Connections Slow

When I'm using my PowerBook, establishing connections across a network/the Internet seem slow. In any web browser, when I initially browse to a web site, it takes forever for the web page to start loading. Once the connection is established, the page loads as fast as it should on my DSL connection (1.5 Mbps down, 384K up). At first I thought it was a DNS issue with my router, but this problem does not exist on my other machines (Three running Windows, two running Linux). Also, when establishing an SSH session with any server, even to other machines in my house, it takes a good 5-10 seconds until I get prompted for a password. This problem seems to only exist on my PowerBook. This problem exists whether I'm using the onboard ethernet or AirPort Extreme. I'm running OS X 10.4.3, and my network confuration is set to "Using DHCP" (for both interfaces).

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Posted on Nov 11, 2005 1:49 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 11, 2005 2:00 PM in response to Anthony H

Not sure here, but the web issue does sound like DNS.
Power down Mac, then power down router, then power down DSL modem. Then power them up in exactly the reverse order (DSL, pause. Router, pause. mac...test) The pauses give each device time to obtain the upstream settings they each need.

The SSH delays sound like Reverse DNS may be messed up. Long SSH authentications are often a sign of that. Although I get a good 5-sec pause SSH'ing to either of my Linuxboxes, and ReverseDNS is good...so that may be somewhat normal.

Good Luck

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 11, 2005 2:09 PM in response to Anthony H

Safari has a built in delay in loading pages, perhaps this is what you are experiencing.

Try this:
defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitInitialTimedLayoutDelay 0.25

More on this on macosxhints

Then again, it won't affect ssh...however, when I ssh to a host I have in my hosts file it is much quicker than a host that has to be resolved via DNS.

You can always try manually entering your DNS servers in a different order in the network preferences and see if that helps.

Reply