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Forum Discussion
davidnvisuals
Apr 27, 2017Aspirant
ReadyNAS 214 Slow Transfer Speeds (Over Network and Direct-Connect)
I just purchased a ReadyNAS 214. I followed the quick start guide: installed two Seagate Ironwolf 3TB hard drives, connected Ethernet and power cable, powered on the unit, and went to http://read...
jak0lantash
Apr 27, 2017Mentor
So it confirms the issue is network related. Your data volume's performance is OK.
Can you try to change the Ethernet cable maybe (if you used the same one all along)? Can you try with another PC? Or booting a Linux from a USB stick?
Can you try to change the Ethernet cable maybe (if you used the same one all along)? Can you try with another PC? Or booting a Linux from a USB stick?
- StephenBApr 27, 2017Guru - Experienced User
Changing the cable is reasonable, though we didn't see any errors in the stats.
Do you have access to another PC you can test the speed with?
- davidnvisualsApr 28, 2017Aspirant
This is interesting.
Using the same Ethernet cable (we'll refer to this as Ethernet cable #1), I set up a direct connection between the ReadyNAS and an old laptop with a 10/100 NIC (Windows 10 OS). Accessed the unit via Windows Explorer and was getting 11 MB/sec transfer speeds!
Disconnected everything.
Connected the ReadyNAS to my router using the supplied Ethernet cable from Netgear (we'll refer to this as Ethernet cable #2). Used the laptop and accessed the unit via Windows Explorer on an 802.11g Wi-Fi connection and transfer speeds were around 4 Mbps. Connected the laptop to my router using (original) Ethernet cable #1, accessed the unit via Windows Explorer and was getting 11 MB/sec transfer speeds!
Out of curiosity, I used the computer tower (what I've been using prior to these tests), accessed the unit via Windows Explorer on an 802.11n connection and transfer speeds were around 4 Mbps. Used a MacBook Air on an 802.11n connection, accessed the unit via SMB protocol, copied a 70 MB file to the ReadyNAS in about 10 seconds - works out to be about 5 MB/sec. What gives?
Summary
ReadyNAS <Old Ethernet Cable> Direct Connection > Computer Tower (1 Gbps NIC) = 4 Mbit/sec
ReadyNAS <Old Ethernet Cable> Direct Connection > Laptop (100 Mbps NIC) = 11 MB/sec
ReadyNAS <New Ethernet Cable> Router > Laptop (802.11g) = 4 Mbit/sec
ReadyNAS <New Ethernet Cable> Router > Laptop (100 Mbps NIC) = 11 MB/sec
ReadyNAS <Old Ethernet Cable> Router > Computer Tower (802.11n) = 4 Mbit/sec
ReadyNAS <New Ethernet Cable> Router > Computer Tower (802.11n) = 4 Mbit/sec
ReadyNAS <New Ethernet Cable> Router > MacBook Air (802.11n) = 5 MB/sec
- StephenBApr 28, 2017Guru - Experienced User
davidnvisuals wrote:
Connected the laptop to my router using (original) Ethernet cable #1, accessed the unit via Windows Explorer and was getting 11 MB/sec transfer speeds!
So running fast ethernet to the NAS (100 mbit link) works as it is supposed to. Running gigabit isn't.
davidnvisuals wrote:
ReadyNAS <New Ethernet Cable> Router > MacBook Air (802.11n) = 5 MB/sec
This is curious, since the NAS connection to the router is the same. But it could simply be rounding or some such.
I'd say we've
-probably ruled out the cables
-ruled out the router
-NIC in the tower CPU seems unlikely
If you share a folder on the laptop, and access it from the tower, you should see 11 MB/s speeds over ethernet. If you do, then you've ruled out the tower NIC for sure.
I say "probably" ruled out the cables, since I don't know their origin. Fast ethernet only needs 4 of the 8 pins in the cable, gigabit needs all 8. If you have home-built (or IT-built) cables it is possible that some pins in both cables weren't properly connected to the plug. Also, if both cables are CAT-5, then cables might still be a factor. CAT-5E or better is recommended for gigabit. The rating is usually printed on the cable - if it's not, assume it's CAT-5.
So if you have purchased Cat 5E or better cables, you've already ruled the cables out. If not, perhaps purchase cat-6 cable just to be certain.
Assuming that the laptop->tower connection runs at 11 MB/s and that the cables are purchased and CAT-5E or better:
It sounds like a NIC issue in the RN214. The RN214 has a three year warranty - if you are the original purchaser you should be covered. I suggest contacting support (my.netgear.com) and asking for an RMA. You could reference this thread I guess.
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