Slow links can obviously cause slow service. Apple Remote Access (ARA) is the most common slow link encountered on an AppleTalk network. SLIP or PPP links (found in IP networks) will have the same problems. Even the highest speed modems are much slower than LocalTalk (230.4 kbps) or Ethernet (10 million bps) speeds.
You can use MacPing to show a slow link in the network by comparing the time difference between Short and Long Echo times. On a slow link, Long Echo packets take significantly longer to transmit than Short Echo packets. If the Percent Dropped value remains low, even with the long times, then you can assume the network is working slowly but without dropping any packets.
