Home Server guys, performance question

[xp3nd4bl3]

So I replaced my aging old opteron-powered file server with the HP Media Smart EX740. I've upgraded to 2GB of RAM and swapped out the CPU for a 2.8GHz single core model. I've got 4x1TB 7200 RPM drives in the server and just ordered an eSATA multiplier and 4 additional 1.5TB drives. My problem is when I'm copying large files to the server it goes for about 10 seconds at near maximum GbE speeds, but then for another 10 seconds it slows way down, then back up to near max and so forth. I'm copying files to share that is NOT duplicated and the system has plenty of resources so I'm not sure what's going on. I don't think it's a cache/memory issue but I can't figure out what the deal is.

Any help?

Thanks!

 

[eagleknight]

Might be a cache issue or cache limitation. Have you tried running any programs like HDtach. Do you have more then one machine to test copy some files to see if the slow down happens from either remote machine?

 

[Dan_D]

What kind of CPU did you have in the machine before "upgrading" to a single core processor? Generally for server use, even just file serving you want more cores, not less. High speeds don't mean much to a file server but the ability to handle more threads does.

In any case the problem may be with your network hardware. Some network switches and routers will throttle the bandwidth if they are flooded with too much traffic. Even single large file transfers can lead to throttling. This is something I've dealt with mostly on Cisco switches and things of that nature but the concept of their operation is the same. Finally the network hardware built into most systems (even some servers) is really, really bad when you get down to it. So long as the transfers complete in a reasonable amount of time and you've got no problems with movie playback on the thing I wouldn't worry about what its' actually getting in regard to transfer speeds. You'll almost never get anywhere near the maximum transfer speed of 100/1000 connections. Those numbers are really theoretical for the cabling, network hardware and protocols. You rarely see them max out for any length of time.

 

[xp3nd4bl3]

What kind of CPU did you have in the machine before "upgrading" to a single core processor? Generally for server use, even just file serving you want more cores, not less. High speeds don't mean much to a file server but the ability to handle more threads does.

The box came with a single core 1.8 GHz Sempron. I replaced it with a single core 2.8 GHz Athlon 64. I didn't do dual core because I was worried about temps in the little box.

My first finger pointed to network as well so I crimped up a CAT6 crossover cable and got the same results. I can also transfer large files from my HTPC to my main computer at a solid consistent 80MB/s (through the same switch) but the Windows Home Server chokes through half of the transfer process. I'm starting to wonder if it's a limitation of the Windows Home Server Drive Extender service?

 

[xp3nd4bl3]

Might be a cache issue or cache limitation. Have you tried running any programs like HDtach. Do you have more then one machine to test copy some files to see if the slow down happens from either remote machine?

Yeah I thought about running HD Tach but I'm not sure how well it will get along with the WHS disk extender service. The last thing I want to do is corrupt my 3TB movie collection!

 

[Dan_D]

The box came with a single core 1.8 GHz Sempron. I replaced it with a single core 2.8 GHz Athlon 64. I didn't do dual core because I was worried about temps in the little box.

My first finger pointed to network as well so I crimped up a CAT6 crossover cable and got the same results. I can also transfer large files from my HTPC to my main computer at a solid consistent 80MB/s (through the same switch) but the Windows Home Server chokes through half of the transfer process. I'm starting to wonder if it's a limitation of the Windows Home Server Drive Extender service?

I think that the network hardware in that Windows Home Server just sucks.