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Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performance?

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 15:10
by Sopalajo de Arrierez
Hi, friends.
I have found that Windows XP guest network performance is too low :-( , this is: my Windows XP Guest copy from/to another network computers on my LAN.
The raw transmision for one only big file in the guest is about 20% the usual speed in the host. The speed when transfering multiple small files is, then, much more slow.
Same using Linux or Windows host. Same using Windows XP SP3 or SP2.

My problem comes due to the program I need to virtualise: it works via network, on a remote (server) computer, and it needs to constantly access lots of files in the server hard disk.

I think this is still a deficiency of Oracle VirtualBox. Isn't there any way to enhance this? I have tested NAT and bridged mode, but the things are not better, it seems.

Thanks a lot.

Re: Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performa

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 15:34
by Perryg
Install the paravirtualzed drivers in the guest (search internet) and switch to Paravirtualized Network in the guest settings -> network -> advanced section.

Re: Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performa

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 16:59
by Sopalajo de Arrierez
Perryg wrote:Install the paravirtualzed drivers in the guest (search internet) and switch to Paravirtualized Network in the guest settings -> network -> advanced section.
I did not know about that, Perryg. I am trying to find such drivers, but it doesn't seem to be easy :-( : no documentation at VIrtualBox site at all.
I think I should download "Windows guest paravirtualization network drivers for VirtualBox", is this correct? Or should I find them for my Linux (Ubuntu) host?

Thanks for all.

Re: Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performa

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 17:16
by Perryg
Here is one with a quick search http://www.linux-kvm.com/content/tip-ho ... rk-drivers
the virtio drivers are part of the linux kvm project.

Re: Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performa

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 17:40
by Etepetete
A quick search also revealed the Oracle site for 'paravirtual network drivers'

I should have taken longer to read than to search. :oops: The drivers are for Oracle VM Server for x86.
On the KVM page, they suggest to download the Fedora drivers for 64-bit versions of Windows.

Re: Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performa

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 19:44
by Sopalajo de Arrierez
Perryg wrote:Here is one with a quick search http://www.linux-kvm.com/content/tip-ho ... rk-drivers
the virtio drivers are part of the linux kvm project.
Thanks for the tutorial, Perryg. I have found it, but those drivers were not working, at least for me.

Re: Slow transfers:Any way to improve network speed performa

Posted: 17. Oct 2011, 19:48
by Sopalajo de Arrierez
Etepetete wrote: On the KVM page, they suggest to download the Fedora drivers for 64-bit versions of Windows.
Thanks a lot, Etepetete. These drivers at KVM site do work fine :-D.
WOW, as I have tested, now my WinXP-SP3 VM runs network transfers at 50-60% the speed of the host. :-O

I think this will be enough for my proposal. :-D

Thanks you all, friends, for your help. This forum rulez 8-) everytime I do ask anything.