ssh MacBook to Linux has Very Slow Login

ssh login from my 10.6.2 mac to a linux system is extremely slow -- about a minute to get the login prompts. In comparison, ssh login to the same linux machine from putty.exe on Windows XP is almost instantaneous.

I have tried adjusting the parameters on both client and host, without much improvement. However, the "1" protocol level seems a little faster. I have setup the keys ("2" level), and that works (without need for pasword), but is still very slow.

I installed putty from macports onto the mac. I got it to work using the "1" protocol level, but it is just as slow as from the terminal command line.

All of the above tests were done on a local network with addresses like 192.168.0.102, so I don't think DNS is a factor.

Anybody have any ideas why the mac is so slow.

Thanks ... Reed