virtualbox.org

Host: Win XP x64
Guest: Win XP, OpenSolaris, and others
Hardware: AMD X2 2.4 GHz, Realtek Gigabit ethernet (PCI-e), Netgear Gbe switch.
Software: VBox 2.2.4 (fresh install, not upgraded from previous versions)

I have noticed that VirtualBox has very poor networking performance. If I open a guest VM, the host network performance drops immediately. If I then pause the guest, the host network performance returns to normal high speeds. I have just done a fresh install of the Host O/S (Win XP x64) and all it's drivers, as well as VBox 2.2.4. So there are no old drivers or old registry entries clogging up the system.

Copying a file (using windows sharing) to/from another WinXP box on the network to a guest is way too slow for a gigabit network. With two VM's running (one is Win XP x86, the other OpenSolaris), the maximum network throughput is about 6 MB/s (~50 Mbps). This is from another computer to either of the guest O/S or, stangely, to the host O/S (Win XP x64). With one VM running, the performance is approximately 12 MB/s (~100 Mbps). Again, this is copying between another computer and either of the guest O/S's or the host O/S. With no VM running, copying to/from the host O/S runs in excess of 70 MB/s (~600 Mbps). That's more like it.

Unfortunately, high network performance for both the host and guests is a high priority for this machine. I need to resolve this. I wonder if there are some settings in the host/guest network adapter configuration (such as checksum offload, etc.) that need to be set properly?

Has anyone seen similar network performance issues? Has anyone resolved them?

p.s. I recall seeing much better (not great, but sufficient) network performance back when VBox still required a Windows "bridge" to be set-up, maybe around 2.1.x timeframe?

Some things that you can try as I did and it did increase my network speed is to try one of the other adapters in the Setting of the VBox Guest. For Windows I use the Intel adapter and for Linux I use the PCnet. I also set the MTU manually to 1500 inside the guests instead of automatic and that made a world of difference.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have already tried switching adapter types in both VMs (OpenSolaris and WinXP-x86). All the adapter types work in both VMs, but the performance is basically the same. I also recently tried turning off the TCP checksum offloading features of the (real) NIC. This did not help either.

I have however found a solution which provides excellent networking performance in both the host and the two VMs. The solution, sadly, is to swtich to VMware Player. It's too bad realy, because I really like VirtualBox. I definitely continute to use it on my Mac. But I don't mind saying that VMware Player is, for me, a better solution at this time for my (Windows based) server. I hope that VBox continues to improve to the point that I can switch back to it.