Slow linux server

[Alan Wilson <awilson@accessus.net>]

We have RH5.2 installed on a machine in a classroom where they teach html,
etc.  Recently the machine has slowed to a crawl.  I have no clue.

for example, if I ping the machine from my desk, I get under 10ms time; but if
I telnet to it, I get a connect message very quickly, but it takes 80 to 90
seconds to get a login prompt.

If I ftp to the machine, it may take over 120 seconds to get a reply if the
client I am using doesn't time out.  

In both cases, after I connect the speed is good.

The traffic on the network is not that heavy (as checked by a packet sniffer).
My connection is ethernet to the Linux machine (no modems).

Top suggests 70% or better idle on the cpu.  

Other confusing things: samba used to advertise the machine on the network,
but doesn't anymore.  I am not really too worried about samba as I seem to be
one of the very few people with Microsoft Client installed on their machine.

A connect to the Apache web server on the machine is quick.

I don't really have any clue as to what might slow the thing down.
Suggestions?

Thanks 
Alan


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