Re: Linux vs. Windows XP routing latency

Andy Furniss
Fri, 18 Jun 2004 00:01:21 -0000

donsapo@artquitect.com.ar wrote:
> Hello, I have a problem with the latency of the packets passing a Linux
router, and I thought perhaps you could put some light on it.
> It''s quite simple. I have one ADSL connection, and a LAN. The
gateway is the Linux machine or a Windows XP machine. When the wXP is routing,
for a host inside the LAN, the latency of, for example, the Counter Strike game
to a given server is around 20 to 30 ms. When the Linux box is routing, the
latency of the same game to same server increases to 60 to 80 ms. Even pinging
that server''s IP you can see the same difference.
> This is a hard blow for me, I''m a Linux fan, and I thought Linux
was going to perform better than Windows.
> For testing I have disabled firewall, bandwidth limiting, everything except
NAT, which is done by masquerading. Also tried SNAT, same result.
> I''m using the 2.4.22 kernel.

Is the dsl modem ethernet  - if it is I would consider asking the
maintainer of the driver for your card. Details in the kernel
docs/source. I get 20 - 30 ms in Half Life OK using a P200 linux gateway
  doing NAT etc.

You could also try a newer Kernel.

Andy.