4100+ dreadful performance
Hello,
I recently purchased a Thecus N4100+ unit to have set up with 3x WD1600AAJS in RAID5.
After RAID setup I wanted to test the throughput of the unit over a standard 100 Mbps Windows network on which I already have a file server running a Linux distro.
So, a basic 700 MB file copy operation yields only a max of 2 MB/s write speed and a read operation of the same file comes close to a "blazing-fast" 4 MB/s.
The exact same operations done on my current file-server are getting 100% of the time 8 MB/s, close to the maximum throughput of the 100 Mbps network. This current file-server consists of a P4 2.4 GHz with 512 MB of RAM and a RAID 1 config of 2x WD800JB (in short, the storage system gets a theoretical kick in the butt from the RAID 5 N4100+ storage system).
The tests were done with only one computer, one file-server and the Thecus N4100+ in question here. There was no other network traffic at the time of the test. I cannot even imagine what would have happened if the N4100+ unit had to deal with a multiple access scenario.
During the write operation, the CPU utilisation of the Thecus was reported to be at 90~100%, whereas with the read operation it settled at about 30%.
I would like to point out a similar expirience with the same unit from a different user, quoted below: (unfortunately I am not allowed to link to the post as this is my first post):
Quote:
I just purchased the Thecus N4100+ with 4x Seagate 750GB SATA2 HDDs. I configured the NAS with RAID 5. The NAS is connected to a Gigabit switch, with Gigabit capable PCs.
Now the issues....
* It took 24 hours to build the RAID 5 volume
* Copying 25GB of data to the NAS takes more than 2 hours
Is there any VALID reason why this is so slow? I've read an entry from Thecus Support that it is due to the "embedded system I/O", of which is "Intel Xscale". I can't believe that Thecus can produce a product this bad and release this statement:
"Renowned for exceptional performance and features, the introduction of the N4100 set a new standard for what people have come to expect from a NAS device. Today, Thecus Technology is proud to announce the N4100+, a completely updated version of the N4100 that delivers the latest Thecus innovations and functionality."
This is simply NOT TRUE, and is down right false advertising!
Before I go back to the shop and demand a full refund and switch to another brand of NAS product, I want to give you an opportunity to convince me that this issue can be fixed. I want to give Thecus the chance to redeem itself, but I have to say that it's not looking too good right now!
Miller
I too am very disappointed with the performance of the unit and am looking for an explanation. Can anyone help out?
Re: 4100+ dreadful performance
I emailed Thecus Tech Support and this is what I got:
Quote:
The N4100+ is used gigabit chip, but the network throughput performance is
affect by system IO, the N4100+ is a embedded system used Intel Xscale
technology; the IO performance is not like PC based system, that's why the
network throughput performance is not like PC.
Generally, the transfer rate is around 32Mbps ~ 80Mbps, it's depend on the
file type, if transfer large number of small files, which will be slower, if
transfer large single file, which will be faster, but if your switch and PC
NIC support Jumbo Frame, it might improve more 10% ~ 20% network
performances.
So it's simple:
- N4100+ has a Gigabit controller but it's useless (the device can't even reach the throughput of a standard 100 Mbps network)
- N4100+ has a second Gigabit controller that is even more useless than the first (performance is miserable even with only one client connected to the device)
- N4100+ has a RAID 5 capable controller but it's useless (even a single HDD or RAID 1 configuration is bottlenecked by the rest of the system)
I am sad to say that the statements made about the unit on the Thecus website are false. I will be returning the unit tommorow for a full refund. Thank you Thecus!
Quote:
Renowned for exceptional performance and features, the introduction of the N4100 set a new standard for what people have come to expect from a NAS device. Today, Thecus Technology is proud to announce the N4100+, a completely updated version of the N4100 that delivers the latest Thecus innovations and functionality.
:rolleyes:
Re: 4100+ dreadful performance
Dear Sir,
The performance about N4100, it is depend user’s datum line, each products with difference application & performance need, also equal to the N4100 compare with N1200 or N2100, we would found the N4100 would similar or better than N1200/N2100, but the price & application is difference too.
Regarding to the speed issue not only on N4100 it self, but also need the enviroment to corperation, as like:
1. Network connection type as like direct network conneciotn or 100Mbps hub/switch.
2. If environment supported the jumbo frame, please enable the jumbo frame function from web interface Network -> LAN1 ->Jumbo frame.
3. Disable the ip sharing function from web interface Network -> LAN1 -> IP Sharing Mode
If doesn't satisify the writing score, perhaps following test report between N4100 & N5200 would be help:
N4100/N4100+
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/09/...e_to_your_lan/
http://www.hardwarezone.com.au/revie...cid=10&id=1739
http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews...lld19JRD0xMzcy
N5200
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/28919/75/
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6181&page=5
N5200PRO
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=9426&page=4#
Yvon.
