6.5.0-T322 RN100 series front port USB performance is sluggish.

[StephenB]

I tested local NTFS backup performance using a Crucial SSD in a Patriot Gauntlet USB 3 enclosure.  FWIW, The SSD+Gauntlet's write speed on a Windows 7 PC measures ~173 MB/sec.

The test share I used is Music: 58.2 GB - 15,414 Files, 974 Folders.

NTFS: Using the USB 3 port (back top) of the RN102: 42:15 run time, transfer speed ~24 MB/sec

NTFS: Using the USB front port: 2:09:16 run time, transfer speed ~7.7 MB/sec

Though I expected a performance drop-off with the front USB port, this was quite a bit more than I expected. 

EDIT:  I did the same tests after reformatting the disk to ext4.

EXT4: Using the USB 3 port (back top) of the RN102: 20:33 run time, transfer speed ~48.4 MB/sec

EXT4: Using the USB front port: 37:04 run time, transfer speed  26.81 MB/sec

[evan2]

Hi StephenB,

You copy 15,414 Files, 974 Folders, and it is music file, it is small and impact throughput when run performance, 

Could do you please copy a large file (3GB) to USB disk via USB 2.0 and USB3.0 on RN104?

I tested on RN104 using Thermaltake BLAC X 5G docking + Setgear ST1000DM003 and copy a 3GB file.

USB2.0 (Front port) Write: 26.3MB/s, Read:27.3MB/s 

USB3.0 (Rear Port) Write: 64.7MB/s, Read: 71.3MB/s

[kohdee]

The front port on the RN102 is USB 2. The back ports are USB 3.

I guess I'm confused on why there's a complaint comparing a slow USB 2 port to SuperSpeed USB 3? 

[StephenB]

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@kohdee wrote:

The front port on the RN102 is USB 2. The back ports are USB 3.

I guess I'm confused on why there's a complaint comparing a slow USB 2 port to SuperSpeed USB 3? 

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Several users here have complained about a huge slowdown with NTFS backup to the front port with 6.4.x.    Backups that used to take one hour now take four.  Netgear L2 support also confirmed that NTFS copy performance with USB2 is a lot slower with 6.4.2 than it was with 6.2.x.   So I tested it (but was already on 6.5.0 beta).

Of course USB 2 speeds are slower.  BUT

• NTFS USB 2 is 32% of the USB 3 speed.
• EXT USB 2 is 56% of the USB 3 speed.

It looks to me like the same issue likely is present with 6.5.0 - if so, it should be fixed.  

Also, at least one user reported faster copy times for USB 3 NTFS in 6.2.x than I am measuring with 6.5.

As far as large file/small file goes, I think the issue here is mostly about backup performance (since that is the main reason for having the USB ports in the first place. 

That is why I reported it.