AFP connection/login super slow in Mountain Lion

If this is the same as I've seen in the past, try deleting your .GlobalPreferences file. This file is double hidden in that it starts with a . which means it is not visible in the Finder and it is in your ~/Library/Preferences folder which is also not visible.

So to get rid of it, try this:

1: Open Terminal (found in your Utilities folder)

2: enter the following command:

rm ~/Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist

Then try connecting again.

Hmm, I looked at what I wrote and realized I may have missed a detail. The issue I've seen is when there are multiple .GlobalPreferences.plist files. Try this:

cd ~/Library/Preferences

ls -la

The first command changes you into the Preferences' directory. The second lists all files including invisibles. Look through the list. Do you have more than one file starting with .GlobalPreferences? If so, get rid of them all.

That was my best suggestion. Are you on the same LAN as the server? If so, try this:

1: Open a Finder window on the client

2: Find the server in the Finder window's sidebar

3: Select it from the sidebar and then press the Connect button

4: Are you able to connect to it faster this way?

Now, I am assuming that you have been using Connect to Server dialog this whole time and that your DNS is setup properly. Keep in mind that the sidebar will use Bonjour to connect and Connect to Server will use DNS or IP address to connect.

Also, which part is the slow part? Does it take a long time to get the authentication dialog or does it take a long time to connect to the share after authenticating?

Ever get this to speed up?

We have been fighting this issue for years, it seems. Only certain machines seem to be affected. As you mention, not sure if it is an authentication issue with the Mac server or something else.