Delay file access from windows PC

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the Mac hardware/software products and I have a couple of questions concerning the XServe G5 running Mac OS X v10.3.5.

The XServe I just purchased is primarily used as a file servers servicing mainly Windows users. I noticed that when I enabled the firewall with the proper port open to service file sharings for windows users, initial login into my shares took a long time. The delay is about 18-40 seconds. When I disable the firewall , I see a dramatic decreased in the delay. The files open pretty quick with a delay of 2-4 seconds. Is this delay common with the firewall on? Or is there a configuration or setting somewhere that I need to add/change to overcome this delay? I would hate to run the server without a firewalll. Any suggestion or recommendation is highly appreciative.