slow connection to geodatabase

Hi,

I have to access a geodb on the database server at branch office... I use Direct Connect. It takes >20 seconds just to open the connection. Then I connect to the database server directly using SQL Server Mgmnt Std and open up the Activity Monitor.
My questions:
1. How do you determine the factors that affecting this slowness ? What tool do I have to use to find out the factors ? I need to justify the process.
2. How can i use the Activity Monitor ?
3. How to speed up the connection to geodb in the branch office ?

Environmet: sql server 2005 enterprise.

Thanks