Thecus Support Thread ! Thecus Users Come In..

[weap0nx]

Yo weap0nx, thanks for the info! was too lazy to read up on stripe size and also afraid of losing disk space using large stripes. now with this info, I may rebuild my raid. but that will only be after I upgrade my router (100 to 1Gb).

Sure no problem, I will be getting the n0503 soon and build with a 1meg stripe size and run some tests, maybe after you get your Gigabit switch you can run similar tests on your 64kB stripe size array and we can see what performance diff maybe?

but i use 5400 rpm caviar green 32mb drives. Yours 64mb

There is really not much test info on the n0503 found on the net, come on Andrew bring us some good news soon so more of us can get it and posts more of our own test results and in turn get more people to buy it

 

[jupiter12]

Hi guys

does rebuilding raid of a different stripe size will cause any existing data losses or damage to existing data??

anyone got any idea what is the biggest stripe size possible?

Does it depend on the NAS we are using? as N0503 has default 64kb one...

 

[weap0nx]

Hi guys

does rebuilding raid of a different stripe size will cause any existing data losses or damage to existing data??

anyone got any idea what is the biggest stripe size possible?

Does it depend on the NAS we are using? as N0503 has default 64kb one...

I'm afraid rebuilding the RAID to different stripe size will erase everything. This is because it changes the underlying structure.

It's like you put everything into several small boxes, when you wanna move to bigger boxes gota take everything out (erase everything). There is no space left on the disk to hold the data temporarily while you take everything out so you gota backup elsewhere

Looking at the AJAX demo, i think 4096 kB or 4MB

 

[jupiter12]

I'm afraid rebuilding the RAID to different stripe size will erase everything. This is because it changes the underlying structure.

It's like you put everything into several small boxes, when you wanna move to bigger boxes gota take everything out (erase everything). There is no space left on the disk to hold the data temporarily while you take everything out so you gota backup elsewhere

Looking at the AJAX demo, i think 4096 kB or 4MB

Thanks for the information.. hehe I think I wait for someone to test whether it does make a big difference or not because quite troublesome to back up and also slow speed in transfering files here and there

So the stripe size only affects the speed in accessing/writing the files on the raid right?

 

[aH_rUi]

I am using n2200 and I have been trying to create individual folders with ACL. After adding the respective users to the ACL for each folders, I tried to access the folders and the pop-up for the user and password comes up. However even after the correct user ID and password, I still cant gain access to the folder.

Any comments?

 

[weap0nx]

I just took the plunge and got an N0503!
Building my RAID 5 now, 10 more hours to go.

Will post my tests here as soon as I am RAIDy

 

[SkimMilk]

gratz on your hootz!

 

[weap0nx]

So I have tested my NAS box for a while now here are my results:

1) IOzone, I have stuck with 64kB and 128kB record sizes

I have removed 2 Re-writer scores as they were exceptionally high around 80 to over a 100 MB/s, this is accounted for by the caching effect so we should not consider these values. Writer's peak on the 128kB 32MB file is also possibly cached aided

2) I did the File Copy , Dir Copy and Photo Album tests on Intel NASPT

File copy to NAS 26.1 MB/s
File copy from NAS 37.3 MB/s
Dir copy to NAS 8.8 MB/s
Dir copy from NAS 14.8 MB/s
Photo album 8.0 MB/s

3) FTP was a whole 'nother level.

Copy of 2GB ISO file to NAS 38 MB/s (Average) 42 MB/s (High) 35 MB/s (Low)
Copy of 2GB ISO file from NAS 52 MB/s (Average)

I moved a different 2GB file in between them to prevent any caching, I'm not sure if that would have affected but I did this to be safe.


Observations:
64kB record size test in IO zone seems to accurately depict file transfers through Windows Networking (SMB protocol), that is transferring through Windows Explorer -> Network Places . This is a slow way of transferring and I would like to find out how the stripe size interacts with the 64kB record size, does the small record size defeat the purpose of having a big stripe size?

The Intel NASPT tests also performs on a similar level as the 64kB IOZone test. It's no wonder many benchmark sites choose 64kB to resemble real world Windows transfers.

FTP was great, I would stick to this mode of transfer for now unless I figure out NFS to try out.

 

[weap0nx]

Overall this devices has given me mixed impressions. I was hoping transfers through Windows native networking would be very quick but this wasn't able to realize the maximum potential, it's still fast though.
On average I would get 25-30 MB/s Up and 35-40 MB/s Down

These were performed with a single large file. I have no large collection of small files to test and neither do I have any use for them so I did not simulate this.

FTP is great for now, I find the transfer speeds are now in my expected levels.

There is no doubt the NAS device itself is very speedy at its maximum potential.
The trick now would be to figure out how to optimize the device for Windows sharing either through software tweaks or selecting the ideal stripe size?

NEXT TEST: BitTorrent

 

[weap0nx]

BitTorrent Test (Short and simple)

Based on vast reviews, nearly all negtaive, of the supplied DLM BT client, I decided to skip it completely. It is not bundled with the firmware so AT LEAST i don't have to uninstall it haha

So I'm using AZUR MOD by drewy.com. I receive no credit for this at all, drewy has modified it to work precisely on Thecus NASes.

Instructions Found Here:

http://www.drewy.com/detail.aspx?detail=77&section=2&from=content&page=1

I used AzSMRC to remotely connect to the Azureus client on the server once it's up. Configuration is simple as the layout of remote settings you can perform are nearly identical to that of running Azureus on your PC. Ensure the downloaded content goes to where you want it, check your Port and ensure it is forwarded to the NAS (either manually on the router or you can enable UPnP from the Remote Plug-In section of AzSMRC). It's really a breeze to work with as the Azureus client's web interface has literally no settings so everything is performed from AzSMRC.

Torrents known to be fast: Ubuntu releases.

I reached 900kB/sec which could have gone higher if my brother wasn't also downloading some stuff on his computer. On my router page we maxed 1.2MB/sec so I would say BitTorrenting is as fast on the NAS as it could be on the com.

Here's a pic:

Overall this NAS is blazing fast and can be a total substitute for BT downloading on your PC as long as you switch the client from DLM to another one, you can find several on Thecus proboards or Thecus.eu, look under 5200 MODs, they are compatible. I chose AZUR and it worked perfectly

 

[blimey]

thanks for the info on this NAS and bit torrent. Am more or less going to get this model.
btw, did you install 3 x 2 tb hard drives in it?

 

[weap0nx]

thanks for the info on this NAS and bit torrent. Am more or less going to get this model.
btw, did you install 3 x 2 tb hard drives in it?

Yep, 3 x WD15EADS-00R6B0 1.5TB Green drives with 32MB cache.
I will be going ahead to rebuild the array with 256kB stripe size to see how is the performance.

I'm sorry if earlier I mentioned that larger stripe size will benefit the NAS, that was looking at only one side of the coin. Essentially there are many gains and trade offs as you move from one stripe size to another and it isn't as simple as what i described earlier.

Even if you tailor it to suit one type of application the others will suffer. I have decided instead of trying to dwell or debate on other forums on this issue, the best is to reset the stripe size and reperform the tests to see what is truly better for me.

Stay tuned as I rebuild my array on 256kB stripe size to find out what type of applications will benefit or lose out. According to some sites, we should see a gain in Write speeds with a compromising drop in Read speeds.

 

[cueball1981]

Guru, i need help on my n2200.. while transfering large file 7gb.. to my n2200 via wifi. side by side with mio router.. i could only get ard 2.5mb speed.. and my whole internet stall, while transfering i cant even surf net..

NAS -> 192.168.1.100
Laptop-> 192.168.1.101

 

[aH_rUi]

weaponX, where did you buy ur Green 1.5TB HDD 32MB Cache from? It is obselete and no longer available. I have been looking for it, in the end, I have to get it from aussie. Only 64MB are available in SLS and they are NOT recognized by my thecus. zzz

 

[weap0nx]

Guru, i need help on my n2200.. while transfering large file 7gb.. to my n2200 via wifi. side by side with mio router.. i could only get ard 2.5mb speed.. and my whole internet stall, while transfering i cant even surf net..

NAS -> 192.168.1.100
Laptop-> 192.168.1.101

hopefully the gurus will help you but i thought I try and find out more from you first.

Internet stall meaning all other clients on the network stall or could it be just the PC which is transmitting to the NAS?
I myself use Wired LAN so don't face this problem.

To Ah_Rui:
Yea i know my hard disk has been replaced with the 64mb EARS model. I got them from the guy on HWZ who is selling them without manufacturer's warranty but at very low prices with personal 1 year guarantee. You can check out the other thread titled "Cheap hard disk without manufactuer's warranty"

I'm surprised why they wouldn't support the 64mb version. As far as I know these drives behave very very similarly and have the same features. Not supported meaning not detected at all? Which Thecus model?
OH WAIT i remember SkimMilk has the 64mb model and they work on his N0503 with no problem. Perhaps you can seek him.

 

[aH_rUi]

WeaponX,

Yeah the HDD are not detected. And i dread the day one of my HDD stops working, it just means that i have to replace both of them after salvaging the data from the working HDD. No stock for 32MB.

Anyway, can any1 solve my following problem regarding ACL folders?

I am using n2200 and I have been trying to create individual folders with ACL. After adding the respective users to the ACL for each folders, I tried to access the folders and the pop-up for the user and password comes up. However even after the correct user ID and password, I still cant gain access to the folder.

Any comments?

 

[supremebull]

Hello all,

Is there anyway I can test or benchmark my 3 x WD Caviar Greens in my N4100pro after it has been set up and running?

Also, is there any way that I can run the WDTLER and WDIDLE3 utilities on the 3 Caviar Greens without connecting them to my computer?

Thanks.

 

[weap0nx]

WeaponX,

Yeah the HDD are not detected. And i dread the day one of my HDD stops working, it just means that i have to replace both of them after salvaging the data from the working HDD. No stock for 32MB.

Anyway, can any1 solve my following problem regarding ACL folders?

I am now rebuilding my RAID, I will check as soon as I get the RAID online. Didn't try any user groups just now.

 

[SkimMilk]

ah rui: for me, i just popped the hdds in and it just worked. not sure y urs doesnt?

as for the net hanging, i think the bottle neck could be the router. try using wired connection and do the transfer. see if it hangs.

as for ACL: on my win7, i duno why but i have to key in password 3 times to connect. i think it's got something to do with the domain of the nas.

 

[cueball1981]

Hi.. My Laptop is the one sending to the NAS via wifi , and my desktop internet stall.. i try on my laptop, also facing the same problem.