Description

Users connected behind EX access switches may report slow internet access. In some cases, web pages load very slowly or do not load at all. Speed test sites may also fail to load or may fail during the download test.

Basic connectivity may still work. For example, users may be able to ping the default gateway and public IP addresses, but web browsing remains slow.

This can make the issue look like a switching problem, but further isolation may show that the EX switch is forwarding traffic correctly and the problem is related to congestion or an upstream firewall path.

Symptoms

The following symptoms may be seen:

  • Wired/wireless users report slow internet access. Browser pages are slow or fail to load.
  • Speed test tools may fail to load or may show socket/download test errors.
  • Ping to the gateway or public IPs may still work.
  • Switch CPU and memory may look stable.
  • User-facing interfaces may show no errors or dropped packets.

Solution

Use switch-side checks to confirm whether the EX switch is causing the issue or only forwarding traffic toward a bad upstream path.


  • First, check the affected user port:

show dot1x interface <user-port> detail

show ethernet-switching table | match <client-mac>

show interfaces <user-port> extensive

show interfaces queue <user-port>


Confirm that the client is authenticated, assigned to the expected VLAN, and that the port does not show errors, drops, or flaps.


  • Next, check switch health:

show chassis alarms

show system alarms

show chassis routing-engine

show system core-dumps

show log messages | last 100


Confirm that CPU and memory are stable and that no core dumps or major switch errors are present.


  • Then check the firewall-facing uplinks:

show interfaces <uplink-port> extensive

show interfaces queue <uplink-port>

show ethernet-switching table interface <uplink-port>

show spanning-tree interface <uplink-port> detail


Look for errors, output drops, queue drops, MAC moves, STP changes, or link flaps.

Also check for high-bandwidth devices. A single endpoint, such as a backup server, camera recording server, update server, or unknown client, can consume a large amount of bandwidth and affect other users sharing the same path.


Additionally:

> If two firewall-facing links are used, test each path one at a time during a maintenance window:

> Disable one firewall-facing path and test internet access.

> Re-enable it, disable the other path, and test again.

> Compare speed test results and browsing behavior.


Modification History

2026-06-11 : Article Created