Bug chunks of data at once to 10 machines, how to set up?

[Lellis2k]

Hey Guys,

So we've got cat 6 in the trunking but cat 5 cables coming out of it into each machine, some are on Gigabit switches, all machines have Gigabit cards.

We use 3ds max 9 with backburner to render 3d files. Basically the server sends out about 500mb to 10 seperate machines at the same time, they then do some processing and send a file back.

We are getting unknown errors at some machines at this initial 500mb transfer stage. If we copy the files manually then process them they are fine, so it seems to be a network issue.

Would Cat 6 cables help?
Dual network cards in the server?
Help me understand how much a 1000Mbps should be able to handle and how long 500mb to 10 different machines should take?

Thanks Massively in advance,

Leigh

[johnwill]

It's very difficult to know if CAT6 cables would make a difference. CAT5 normally works for shorter runs at gigabit speeds, but CAT5e and above is the only officially compatible wiring for gigabit over copper. If the cables are easy to replace, it's certainly worth a shot.

Personally, from the description, I'd be more inclined to believe it's one or more of the switches choking when the heaviest traffic to multiple ports is happening. That would explain why a single transfer works fine, but it dies when you have a bunch of simultaneous transfers in progress.