Does Linux distribution influence network speed?

I have solved this by edit /etc/sysctl.conf, with:

[root@centos5 ~]# sysctl -a  | grep mem
net.ipv4.udp_wmem_min = 4096
net.ipv4.udp_rmem_min = 4096
net.ipv4.udp_mem = 49056    65408   98112
net.ipv4.tcp_rmem = 10240   87380   12582912
net.ipv4.tcp_wmem = 10240   87380   12582912
net.ipv4.tcp_mem = 12288    16384   24576
net.ipv4.igmp_max_memberships = 20
net.core.optmem_max = 10240
net.core.rmem_default = 110592
net.core.wmem_default = 110592
net.core.rmem_max = 12582912
net.core.wmem_max = 12582912
vm.lowmem_reserve_ratio = 256   256 32
vm.overcommit_memory = 0

more information can be found here and here

Here is a more general answer to the question in case anyone comes here for the title like I did:

Yes, the Linux distribution can influence network speed, but it’s typically indirect. Here’s how:

1. Kernel Version: Different distributions may use different versions of the Linux kernel, which can affect network performance. Newer kernels usually have optimizations and better hardware support.

2. Network Stack Configuration: Some distributions come with default network settings optimized for general use, while others (like those aimed at servers) may be tuned for high-performance networking out of the box.

3. Installed Packages: The choice of network management tools and drivers can vary between distributions, which might affect performance. For example, some distributions might have more efficient network drivers or include optimizations for certain hardware.

4. Default System Configuration: Distributions aimed at performance (like CentOS or Debian for servers) may have configurations that reduce latency and improve throughput compared to desktop-oriented distributions.

5. Resource Usage: Lightweight distributions may leave more CPU and memory available for network tasks, indirectly improving network speed.

In summary, while the underlying Linux kernel and hardware are crucial, the distribution’s configuration and optimizations can influence network performance.