FWSM bandwidth limitation at 500-550 Mbit?

[rravergalileo]

I have an FWSM module broken into several contexts and interfaces, it seems that whenever I push 500-550Mbit through it that it starts to create latency in the 100 times normal range for connections as simple as a ping.  I saw a reference on cisco hints of a possible limitation in this area although I've been told it's 6 Gbit.  I saw on the presentation of the FWSM module this can be lowered to 2 Gbit if the payload is small.  Can anyone provide me a more clear picture of its limitations and how to handle them?  Any ideas on what might be causing this?

[David White]

Hi Robert,

As a first start, have a look at this doc describing the performance of the FWSM:  https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-12668

I would also check the output of "show np block" while you increase traffic, to see if any of the thresholds are being hit.  Here is also another doc which might help:  https://supportforums.cisco.com/docs/DOC-13066

Sincerely,

David.