Imaging computers with multicasting brings down network

[seth_turner_04]

We use Zenworks to image our workstations here at work. Usually, we just setup one system and then multicast the image across the network to other systems. Normally, we notice a bit of a slow down on the network if we do a whole lab at once.

Yesterday when I tried imaging just two computers using multicasting, our network came to a halt. I turned on ethereal to see what was happening and I noticed multicasting messages were being sent out like crazy. When I stopped the imaging process, everything returned to normal after a few minutes.

I don't understand why this is happening though because we have done this type of imaging many times before with no problems. After I run Ethereal for a few seconds, it already has thousands of multicast packets so I am not sure if this is normal or not.

Anybody have some knowledge on how to control multicasting so I can keep imaging like that?

[johnwill]

I'd suggest contacting Zenworks tech support. They should be the most familiar with the product...

[seth_turner_04]

Ok. I just figured it might have something to do with having a chattery network or something. We had a new school building built this year and our network topology and has been changed around a bit.

[johnwill]

You might have some switches mis-wired and have created a loop if this is a new installation. You can get some interesting effects if that's the case!