Hello, I am new to the forum and have just bought a Ultra 4. I was expecting this to be incredibly fast on my network but when accessing media from my HTPC it is very laggy. I thought I would check my network speeds are ok before I troubleshoot other areas.Setup:Ultra 44x2TB (2xSeagate ST2000DL003-9VT166, 2xSAMSUNG HD204UI with firmware update for NAS)RAIDiator 4.2.19Connected via CAT6 to BT HomeHub 3MTU altered to 1492Disabled full data journalingFrom my main PC downstairs in the same room as the NAS and router I have tested drag and drop speeds. If I drag and drop a 3.8GB file to the ReadyNAS backup folder I achieve 4.35MB/s which correlates with the IOMeter test here: http://www.readynas.com/?p=310. This PC is using an Edimax 300MBps PCI card connected wirelessly to the HomeHub 3, windows reports a 130-144Mbps connection. I have uploaded two CSV outputs from IOMeter, one is when the MTU was 1500, the other was when I reduced it to 1492. As you can see there was a mild improvement when I reduced the MTU: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9DS01OM8My HTPC is upstairs, it is running Ubuntu and I intend to use XBMC as my media player. I have an Intel 4965AGN wireless card connected to my HomeHub 3 at rates varying from 70-140Mbps. The HTPC can handle 1080p MKV (tested with external USB HDD). The stuttering occurs when playing from a SMB or NFS share. I have not ran tests as with my main PC yet but will do.Do my speeds look correct on my main PC? The IOMeter guide seems to suggest I should be getting around 25MB/s read/write on default settings and I even have full journalling turned off.I welcome any comments or suggestions of further tests I can run :)

You are limited by your WiFi. Note that WiFi link speeds are much higher than the actual throughput.Based on test results I saw for the home hub 3, the router delivers about 30-40 mbits/sec over the wireless connection (http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/wireless ... home-hub-3). That is about what you are seeing (4.35 MB/s is 36.5 mbits/sec).There are higher performing 802n routers, but you won't get much more than 6 MB/s over a 144 mbits wifi link.

Thanks for that Stephen, the problem is my homeplugs do not get a great connection from my office where the router and NAS is to my room upstairs. Are there any further solutions? Unfortunately the two locations make it almost impossible to run a cable.I will run the same IOMeter tests using my main PC but via. CAT5e cable to the router to check the speed results.

I think gigabit ethernet is the only way you'll see > 25 MB/s speeds - if my info on Home Hub 3 is correct, you'd need to add a switch (it only has one gigabit port).Is the office close to the upstairs room? You could try Ghz wifi. That has shorter range, but has much less interference. If you are close enough, you'd get higher link speeds that 2.4 ghz.

Yes the office is below the room so I will look into Ghz wifi, thanks for the information :)

A good article on performance expectations is here: ReadyNAS Performance ExpectationsOf course the theoretical speeds of a wireless connection are for perfect conditions (these would include having the computer right next to the wireless router). With greater distance, obstacles etc. real speeds are typically much slower.

Transfer speeds on Ultra 4 | NETGEAR Communities

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StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 23, 2011
You are limited by your WiFi. Note that WiFi link speeds are much higher than the actual throughput.

Based on test results I saw for the home hub 3, the router delivers about 30-40 mbits/sec over the wireless connection (http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/wireless ... home-hub-3). That is about what you are seeing (4.35 MB/s is 36.5 mbits/sec).

There are higher performing 802n routers, but you won't get much more than 6 MB/s over a 144 mbits wifi link.
AK471
Aspirant
Sep 23, 2011
Thanks for that Stephen, the problem is my homeplugs do not get a great connection from my office where the router and NAS is to my room upstairs. Are there any further solutions? Unfortunately the two locations make it almost impossible to run a cable.

I will run the same IOMeter tests using my main PC but via. CAT5e cable to the router to check the speed results.
StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 23, 2011
I think gigabit ethernet is the only way you'll see > 25 MB/s speeds - if my info on Home Hub 3 is correct, you'd need to add a switch (it only has one gigabit port).

Is the office close to the upstairs room? You could try Ghz wifi. That has shorter range, but has much less interference. If you are close enough, you'd get higher link speeds that 2.4 ghz.
AK471
Aspirant
Sep 24, 2011
Yes the office is below the room so I will look into Ghz wifi, thanks for the information :)
mdgm-ntgr
NETGEAR Employee Retired
Sep 24, 2011
A good article on performance expectations is here: ReadyNAS Performance Expectations

Of course the theoretical speeds of a wireless connection are for perfect conditions (these would include having the computer right next to the wireless router). With greater distance, obstacles etc. real speeds are typically much slower.
AK471
Aspirant
Sep 24, 2011
Thanks mdgm, will take a look at that when I get a minute free!
AK471
Aspirant
Sep 25, 2011
Just a quick update. After a little more research I think I may have found a convenient solution.

The plan is to get a gigabit switch (Netgear GS108) which will be connected to the homehub, the ReadyNAS will connect to the switch via CAT6 with another CAT6 cable connected to a set of 500mbps Powerline adapters (Billion BiPAC P108) as my current powerline only supports 200mbps. I hope this will give enough throughput to my room above my office so HD streams flawlessly. For the time being I will use another router as a hub in my room as several devices need the internet, this will later be upgraded to another gigabit switch.

Does the above sound feasible? Didn't realise I would have to purchase so much additional kit on top of the already expensive Ultra 4 but seeing as I am this far I might as well spend out to have a perfect system.
StephenB
Guru - Experienced User
Sep 26, 2011
Since the switch needs to buffer the data going out the slower powerline links, you will want a switch that supports 802.3x flow control (pause frames). The unmanaged GS108 doesn't do that, you would either need the more expensive GS108T or the GS508/GS608.

Powerline networking is finicky stuff, when it works its great, but when its not, its horrid...

You could try adding powerline filtering (see http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/lanwan/l ... ine-filter). Some homeplug products have this filtering built in, so if you do replace what you have now, you should probably take that into consideration.
AK471
Aspirant
Sep 26, 2011
I ended up purchasing a ZyXel GS108b as the reviews were fantastic and the pricing was better than the Netgear. It has jumbo frames and IEEE 802.3x full duplex operation and flow control. When it arrives I will try it out whilst I look for powerline gigabit adapters.
AK471
Aspirant
Oct 03, 2011
Quick update, I have bought:

1 x ZyXEL GS105B gigabit switch
1 x ZyXEL GS108B gigabit switch
2 x Solwise HomePlug AV 500Mbps Homeplugs (NET-PL-500AV-PIGGY) *reviews were better than Netgear alternatives and these cost significantly less too

I will be connecting the GS105B in my office to the ReadyNAS and the Solwise homeplug, I will have the other homeplug upstairs connected to the GS108b and the Acer Revo R3610, my PS3s and Xbox will also be connected to this switch. All cables will be CAT6, I have enabled jumbo frames on the NAS.

Hopefully the above will work and stream 1080p smoothly, even if the setup has cost significantly moire than I expected!