Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix

Takaharu · Apr 3, 2011, 01:36 PM

At my workplace we noticed that after installing Windows 7 SP1 connections to SQL databases are slowed considerably; a colleague of mine couldn't connect to one of the databases after he installed SP1 and had to roll back. I stuck with it as I could connect to SQL databases but the connection was notably slower.

Apparently, this affects Outlook and Visual Studio as well, programs that are in frequent use in my workplace. After a bit of research I found out that this is because of a new (or revised?) "feature" that is integrated into SP1; TCP/IP auto-tuning.

To fix, run the following in an elevated Command Prompt:

Code:

netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

I'm not sure if this affects any other programs/connections but considering the problems it caused us connecting to SQL at work, I've disabled it on all of the Windows 7 PCs that I use.

IvanV · Apr 3, 2011, 01:47 PM

Interesting... Thanks for sharing.

mkk · Apr 3, 2011, 04:09 PM

Interesting to hear about. With Vista the default autotuning setting proved to be problematic with certain routers, perhaps this new code has a similar kind of problem.

Tipstaff · Apr 3, 2011, 07:28 PM

^^^^
There's a question to ask.

Do you know what router/gateway you guys are using at work, Takaharu?

Takaharu · Apr 3, 2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

Do you know what router/gateway you guys are using at work, Takaharu?

It's a Cisco series, not sure which off-hand. It's a few years old but still stable. We have Cisco 2600 series switches between, linked with fibre gigabit switches.
Apparently, it's not an uncommon issue with SP1, however, quite a few people have witnessed it.

Tipstaff · Apr 3, 2011, 11:05 PM

Those that have had issues, are they all using Cisco/Linksys routers? Any other manufacturers, or at least ones that have non-VPN routers?

As per what mkk mentioned I remember this issue cropping up with people that had VPNs or more aggressive SPI firewalls and Vista machines, and come to think of it Outlook Exchange servers too, but this was supposed to be fixed with Vista SP1. Funny that Microsoft would "undo" this with Windows 7 SP1....

Takaharu · Apr 4, 2011, 08:12 AM

I haven't looked into the network side of things for other people experiencing the same issues though I'd be quite disconcerted if Cisco products caused a problem with Windows. Generally, it's the classic "SQL runs slowly since ... Can anyone help?" with no real details of anything.

As for the firewall, we have an ISA server that blocks specified Internet traffic. The Exchange server I can't really vouch for as I didn't manage it. There is one VPN... come to think of it, the VLAN used to communicate to it is the same as what we're on. It's not impossible that that is the cause of the problem, though it merits looking into.

Matth · Apr 5, 2011, 10:07 PM

SpeedGuide.net :: Windows 7, Vista, 2008 Tweaks

Not an SP1 feature, autotuning has been around since Vista.

The recommendation seems to be to step down through "restricted" and then "highlyrestricted", before going to the fixed 64k that is disabled - adequate for low ping links, but 64k isn't really enough for typical broadband.

It's unclear if it can be fixed at a higher level, or if autotuning is the only way to set the RWIN > 64k

GhostFacedKilla · Aug 25, 2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takaharu

At my workplace we noticed that after installing Windows 7 SP1 connections to SQL databases are slowed considerably; a colleague of mine couldn't connect to one of the databases after he installed SP1 and had to roll back. I stuck with it as I could connect to SQL databases but the connection was notably slower.

Apparently, this affects Outlook and Visual Studio as well, programs that are in frequent use in my workplace. After a bit of research I found out that this is because of a new (or revised?) "feature" that is integrated into SP1; TCP/IP auto-tuning.

To fix, run the following in an elevated Command Prompt:

Code:

netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled

I'm not sure if this affects any other programs/connections but considering the problems it caused us connecting to SQL at work, I've disabled it on all of the Windows 7 PCs that I use.

running that on all the windows 7 clients will do it, but there's a simpler fix.

disable TCP chimney and TCPA on the affected servers. Better than running around to all the workstations.

disable NetDMA (TCPA)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\Parameters
“EnableTCPA=0"

disable TCP CHIMNEY
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\Parameters
"EnableTCPChimney=0"

Reboot server. Solves the issue on the server side instead of a bunch of client side configuration.
if you want to tinker with the clients for a faster connection.. try this..[/COLOR]
netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=highlyrestricted

Regards

Apr 3, 2011, 01:36 PM	#1
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,862 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix At my workplace we noticed that after installing Windows 7 SP1 connections to SQL databases are slowed considerably; a colleague of mine couldn't connect to one of the databases after he installed SP1 and had to roll back. I stuck with it as I could connect to SQL databases but the connection was notably slower. Apparently, this affects Outlook and Visual Studio as well, programs that are in frequent use in my workplace. After a bit of research I found out that this is because of a new (or revised?) "feature" that is integrated into SP1; TCP/IP auto-tuning. To fix, run the following in an elevated Command Prompt: Code: netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled I'm not sure if this affects any other programs/connections but considering the problems it caused us connecting to SQL at work, I've disabled it on all of the Windows 7 PCs that I use. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Apr 3, 2011, 01:47 PM	#2
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,921 Rep Power: 336 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix Interesting... Thanks for sharing. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Apr 3, 2011, 04:09 PM	#3
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,495 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix Interesting to hear about. With Vista the default autotuning setting proved to be problematic with certain routers, perhaps this new code has a similar kind of problem.

Apr 3, 2011, 07:28 PM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix ^^^^ There's a question to ask. Do you know what router/gateway you guys are using at work, Takaharu? __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Apr 3, 2011, 11:05 PM	#6
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix Those that have had issues, are they all using Cisco/Linksys routers? Any other manufacturers, or at least ones that have non-VPN routers? As per what mkk mentioned I remember this issue cropping up with people that had VPNs or more aggressive SPI firewalls and Vista machines, and come to think of it Outlook Exchange servers too, but this was supposed to be fixed with Vista SP1. Funny that Microsoft would "undo" this with Windows 7 SP1.... __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Apr 3, 2011 at 11:48 PM.

Apr 4, 2011, 08:12 AM	Thread Starter #7
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,862 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix I haven't looked into the network side of things for other people experiencing the same issues though I'd be quite disconcerted if Cisco products caused a problem with Windows. Generally, it's the classic "SQL runs slowly since ... Can anyone help?" with no real details of anything. As for the firewall, we have an ISA server that blocks specified Internet traffic. The Exchange server I can't really vouch for as I didn't manage it. There is one VPN... come to think of it, the VLAN used to communicate to it is the same as what we're on. It's not impossible that that is the cause of the problem, though it merits looking into. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Apr 5, 2011, 10:07 PM	#8
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,426 Rep Power: 93 System Specs	Re: Windows 7 SP1 slow connection fix SpeedGuide.net :: Windows 7, Vista, 2008 Tweaks Not an SP1 feature, autotuning has been around since Vista. The recommendation seems to be to step down through "restricted" and then "highlyrestricted", before going to the fixed 64k that is disabled - adequate for low ping links, but 64k isn't really enough for typical broadband. It's unclear if it can be fixed at a higher level, or if autotuning is the only way to set the RWIN > 64k __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread