[wellylug] Re: Can't access linux conf site

[Mark Foster]

> well, after a discussion with the linux conf guys, I have fixed the
> problem.
>
> I had to change my Max Transmission Unit (MTU) value, from 1500 to 300.
> This helps it get past badly configured firewalls in the path of my
> traffic.
>
> I blame the windows server I saw on the netcraft results. ;-)

300!!!!!!

Thats rediculous.

Do you understand the significance of an MTU?
The Ethernet Standard is 1500.

In other words,

if you request a file which is 1400 bytes long, at standard MTU this is 1 
packet.

At 300 bytes per packet MTU that is 5 packets.

So you've just increased your packet load by 500% for any situation where 
you're requesting more than your MTU. (plus or minus packet header 
overhead, too).

Thats the most rediculous solution to a real-world Internet problem i've 
heard of in a long time. And it'll be negatively affecting the performance 
of any other Internet traffic you engage in. God help you if you want to 
get some decent downloads done at 300 MTU :|

Seriously, though, whats between you and the site?
Because I havn't adjusted my MTU at all and the site works fine.

Mark.