in multiple router/switch unix/windows environment
o if there is havey traffic on ethernet, all tcp package should be queued and send, it will be queued in router, but in ur case, the network traffic should be ok, the problem is the server, I don't think it is configured as a network server for file transfering, thus, the TCP packets were hammering at ur server end. and I don't think your server would have a big buffer for this. what buffer? Rwin for NIC or file system buffer? TCP protocol it self does not queue traffic, it has a buffer window though, servers that enable QoS does
o if there is havey traffic on ethernet, some of tcp packages will be droped by switch or Unix tcp module
it could be dropped by both type of devices, in ur case, it is more likey the unix server is dropping connections not ur network switches.
review the TCP/IP protocol and you will understand.
I know tcp little bit, the reliability of TCP depend on ACK and resend. if ACK and resend package is dropped, then application or TCPIP client side will show time-out