Question : Network Data Transfer Really slow

Hi
i have a win2k server and 9 clients all XP Pro. connected thru *8 port NetGear 10/100 Dual Speed Hub; Model:D5108, plus i have 2 Cnet 10/100 5 port Switches.
The server is DELL poweredge 1300
256Mb RAM
450MHz Intel Pentium III
Win2k Service Pack 4

to transfer 30mb of data from one pc to another or the server takes on average 10minutes when network in not busy, up to 19 when network is busy.
So where should i start .

Answer : Network Data Transfer Really slow

First thing i would recommend is Spyware and Virus check on ALL machines on the network.  They generate more traffic than most people expect.

Next, get yourself a sniffer, like Ethereal (freeware) and use it to help determine what other traffic is being sent on the network.  Ethereal, however, takes some understanding, and can be complicated.  However, it can help you track down exactly where all of the traffic on the network may be coming from, and more importantly, where it is headed to.

How is your network laid out?  When you send traffic through a hub, it sends that data to EVERY port in the hub.  When you send data through a switch, it sends it to the port where the data is intended to go.  Basically, a switch conserves a lot of bandwidth by being more intelligent.  Hubs are 'dumb' units that broadcast everything to everyone.  Too much of this, and a network can slow down.

Also look for bad ports on these units.

If all of these units are in the same location, you should consider replacing all 3 with a 24 port switch.  Reduces the number of devices traffic has to travel through before reaching it's destination.