Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs?

Sh0tgun · 08-13-2007, 11:14 PM

Hi there. I have a network with 20+ Windows XP machines and 5 Macs (4 G4s and an ibook). In all speed tests I've done (speedtest.net is my favourite) the Macs are able to upload around 4 times faster (2Mb/s vs 0.5Mb/s). We have a 2Mb/s upload speed on our fibre connection. Any idea what is going on? They're all plugged into the same hub so physically the path the internet is identical.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

- Al

prestons · 08-14-2007, 07:50 AM

as much as i would like to say: "it's because macs are superior to pcs", i cannot. not sure, but i will do a little research & get back to you.

Sh0tgun · 08-14-2007, 03:41 PM

That would be fantastic. I've googled my fingers off with this one but can't seem to see the problem documented anywhere else.

Grao · 08-14-2007, 11:51 PM

What kind of router/firewall/proxy are you using? It is not inconcivable that one of the three are partial to macs, I.E. My old appliance firewall had a access controll feature (built into the proxy server) that made all of my windows machines 3 times slower, while all of my linux boxes had no decrease in speed. (html wise)

Sh0tgun · 08-15-2007, 08:32 PM

Using a Cisco 871. Yeah Grao sounds like you're on to something there.

~~Jaymie1989~~ · 08-15-2007, 08:57 PM

Hi,

How are the Pcs connected to the internet?
How is your mac connected to the internet?

Sh0tgun · 08-15-2007, 09:52 PM

Cisco 871 -> Gigabit switch -> Macs/PCs

The Macs and PCs use a mixture of 100M and gigabit NICs which naturally shouldn't and don't appear to be related to the problem.

~~Jaymie1989~~ · 08-15-2007, 10:13 PM

Are they all connected with the same cable?

is anyone of them wirless?

What security software does each other them have on?

Sh0tgun · 08-16-2007, 03:57 PM

Cabling doesn't appear to be related to the problem because I can get a mac uploading at the correct rate, plug the same cable into an XP machine and the speed reduces. I've tested this with multiple ports/cables/machines.

Further information has come to hand... Linux machines are getting the same high speed as the Macs.

Also... I've done a speed test on a completely fresh XP install with no software installed and the same low speed is achieved. This indicates it's not related to antivirus or any other security software installed on the other XP machines.

08-13-2007, 11:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sh0tgun Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 OS: Win2k	Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? Hi there. I have a network with 20+ Windows XP machines and 5 Macs (4 G4s and an ibook). In all speed tests I've done (speedtest.net is my favourite) the Macs are able to upload around 4 times faster (2Mb/s vs 0.5Mb/s). We have a 2Mb/s upload speed on our fibre connection. Any idea what is going on? They're all plugged into the same hub so physically the path the internet is identical. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! - Al

08-14-2007, 07:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
prestons Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 79 OS: Xp Pro Sp2 & MacOS X My System	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? as much as i would like to say: "it's because macs are superior to pcs", i cannot. not sure, but i will do a little research & get back to you. __________________ "The failure rate of hard drives is 100% — so it's not if your hard drive will fail, but when..."

08-14-2007, 03:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sh0tgun Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 OS: Win2k	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? That would be fantastic. I've googled my fingers off with this one but can't seem to see the problem documented anywhere else.

08-14-2007, 11:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Grao Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 45 OS: Windows xp pro, linux; Fedora 6	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? What kind of router/firewall/proxy are you using? It is not inconcivable that one of the three are partial to macs, I.E. My old appliance firewall had a access controll feature (built into the proxy server) that made all of my windows machines 3 times slower, while all of my linux boxes had no decrease in speed. (html wise)

08-15-2007, 08:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sh0tgun Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 OS: Win2k	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? Using a Cisco 871. Yeah Grao sounds like you're on to something there.

08-15-2007, 08:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
~~Jaymie1989~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tech Support Forum, Online - Otherwise Brighton, United Kingdom Posts: 2,186 OS: Dual Booting - Windows XP Home Edition SP2 & Vista Home Premium My System	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? Hi, How are the Pcs connected to the internet? How is your mac connected to the internet?

08-15-2007, 09:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sh0tgun Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 OS: Win2k	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? Cisco 871 -> Gigabit switch -> Macs/PCs The Macs and PCs use a mixture of 100M and gigabit NICs which naturally shouldn't and don't appear to be related to the problem.

08-15-2007, 10:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
~~Jaymie1989~~ Register user Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tech Support Forum, Online - Otherwise Brighton, United Kingdom Posts: 2,186 OS: Dual Booting - Windows XP Home Edition SP2 & Vista Home Premium My System	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? Are they all connected with the same cable? is anyone of them wirless? What security software does each other them have on?

08-16-2007, 03:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sh0tgun Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6 OS: Win2k	Re: Why do my Macs upload 4x faster than my PCs? Cabling doesn't appear to be related to the problem because I can get a mac uploading at the correct rate, plug the same cable into an XP machine and the speed reduces. I've tested this with multiple ports/cables/machines. Further information has come to hand... Linux machines are getting the same high speed as the Macs. Also... I've done a speed test on a completely fresh XP install with no software installed and the same low speed is achieved. This indicates it's not related to antivirus or any other security software installed on the other XP machines.