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GS108PE-v3 throughput reduced in firmware version 2.00.08
Hi there,
We have used the GS108PE and GS105 for a number of years, to drive 3 machine-vision cameras (Gig-E). The system requires a total throughput of around 844 Mbps.
Today we attempted to deploy a newly-purchased GS108PE-v3. We could only achieve around 683Mbps, which is not enough for our application.
Subsequently we found the comment in the release notes for version 2.00.08 firmware, warning of reduced throughput in some circumstances. We tested in our lab, using a switch with the 2.00.03 version:
1. Verified that it achieved the required throughput of 844Mbps.
2. Updated the firmware to 2.00.08
3. Re-tested, and found that it could no longer achieve the required throughput running 2.00.08 (we didn't measure precisely, but it couldn't run all 3 cameras at full frame rate).
4. Reverted to the 2.00.03 version. The system then achieved the proper throughput again.
The new switch is still out in the field somewhere, so I haven't had a chance to check which firmware version it's using, but it was bought recently and so is likely to have 2.00.08 or another fairly recent version.
My questions are:
1. Is there a setting we can apply in the 2.00.08 firmware that will allow us to achieve the full throughput? We know the hardware is capable of this.
2. If there isn't a suitable setting in 2.00.08, when can we expect a firmware update that will allow us to get full throughput?
We've been very happy with the GS108 and GS105 up to now, because they provide excellent functionality in a small box. I hope we can continue to use them.
Thanks
Alistair
Hi DaneA,
I measured, and this is what I found:
0. Factory default settings with firmware version 2.00.03: Greater than 844Mbps. I didn't attempt to measure higher than that.
1. Factory default settings with firmware version 2.00.08: About 683 Mbps or less.
2. Firmware version 2.00.08 with Flow Control set to "Enable": Greater than 944Mbps, the highest I could generate with 2 cameras.
My conclusions:
1. With factory default settings and 2.00.08 firmware, the GS108PE-v3 has limited bandwidth. This implies flow control is enabled by default.
2. The values displayed for Flow Control in the GUI are misleading. A status of "Enable" displayed against a port means flow control is *disabled* for that port, and vice-versa.
Cheers
Alistair
6 Replies
Thank you Bruce-G and DaneA for your responses.
I checked the Flow Control settings mentioned in the manual and found that I could get a higher throughput with the Flow Control setting at "Enable". The default setting (used for my earlier tests) is "Disable".
According to my experiments, to disable flow control you need to set the "Flow Control" column like this:
This user interface has a very confusing bug: Flow control is disabled (off) when the text says "Enable". To disable flow control, the user must select "Enable" from the combo box. It would be helpful if Netgear can confirm these findings are correct.
I suggest that Netgear reviews the text of this user interface for the next version of the firmware. Flow control states should be represented by the words "Enabled" and "Disabled". The verbs "Enable" and "Disable" are appropriate for actions (commands). They are not states.
With flow control disabled (I believe), I get higher throughput. I still have some more tests to run before I'm sure this gives sufficient throughput for our application. In the meantime we'll revert to using version 2.00.03. I'll come back when I've had a chance to measure the throughput properly with flow control disabled in 2.00.08.
Thanks
Alistair
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