"OS6" - a question or three

garyd9 wrote:
With the BE's, I'm already saturating gigabit using 5 drives configured for RAID6 via samba. When using AFP, it only gets to about 70%. (That might be due to Mac machine's accessing it, though.) There aren't enough individual users creating heavy usage at any given moment for user counts to be an issue.

Well what your client hardware is like is also a factor. Do your client machines use SSDs? Do you they use the same kinds of files? A large sequential file will transfer much more quickly than lots of small files summing up to the same total size.

garyd9 wrote:

The reason for changing the h/w on the BE box before OS6 would only be to bring the differences between the retrofit and an actual 516 to a minimum. I don't want any avoidable shortcomings to be present when testing, as then I wouldn't be convinced that it's a valid test. The lack of USB3 and eSATA wouldn't be missed without actually using those interfaces, so that's a non-issue. I want to get as close as possible to an actual 516 to evaluate the overall package...

Then give the upgrades a try.

garyd9 wrote:

I just ordered a refurb'd E6700 (SL9ZF stepping) for $31 (US) shipped, and will find some old DDR2 memory laying around the office. (I should be able to find a couple of 2GB/667 or /800 sticks.) I'll re-use the drives that are already in that box (seagate constellation es.2 1TB drives.) I have the BIOS already updated to v2.0 (with a 2010 year) already. I also have a VGA header somewhere I can use to troubleshoot if the h/w changes cause problems.

Sounds like a good plan

garyd9 wrote:
Don't worry, though -- I'm sure they'll be re-purposed as a backup device for some overworked engineer's personal use. ;)

:)