Direct Connect to 2nd Ethernet Port?

[PeteCress]

I am loading a Windows-based backup server with 10+ TB of data from my Ultra-6.

Can I speed up the load process by directly connecting the server to the Ultra-6 via the Ultra-6's second Ethernet port?

If so, can anybody spell out the details?

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

If you have a gigabit switch, then there will be no speed gain in doing the direct connect.  If you are limited to fast ethernet, then the direct connect will help.

The process is to set up a static IP address on the NAS for the second ethernet port that is outside the address range of your normal network.  For instance, if you normally use 10.x.x.x, then configure the second port as 192.168.1.x.  Configure the dedicated server port to use a static IP address in the same range as the dedicated NAS port.  Access the NAS (and the PC) using these IP addresses, and not hostnames.

No crossover is needed, as the NAS will autosense.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

If you have a gigabit switch, then there will be no speed gain in doing the direct connect.  If you are limited to fast ethernet, then the direct connect will help.

The process is to set up a static IP address on the NAS for the second ethernet port that is outside the address range of your normal network.  For instance, if you normally use 10.x.x.x, then configure the second port as 192.168.1.x.  Configure the dedicated server port to use a static IP address in the same range as the dedicated NAS port.  Access the NAS (and the PC) using these IP addresses, and not hostnames.

No crossover is needed, as the NAS will autosense.

[PeteCress]

Thanks - that makes pefect sense..... and the autosense feature was good news.

Can anybody point to where the setup is for that second port in the Ultra-6's web page?

I expected to find somethng under Home | Network | Interfaces | Standard Setting, but all I see is a single MAC Address and a single IPv4 address.

[StephenB]

It should be on network->interfaces.  Though my pro-6 is set up for LACP bonding, so I can't confirm.

What firmware are you running?

[PeteCress]

> What firmware are you running?

RAIDiator 4.2.27, Ultra-6

Seems like the page only shows one port.

Oops!   Now I see the tabs atop the page....and clicking the tab for the 2nd port does the trick.

RCI strikes again....

[PeteCress]

Thanks again!...

Got the connection working.... and tripled my speeds.

Before, the mirroring app on the Windows box was writing at high-teens/low-twenties Mbps.

Now, with the direct connection, it is writing well into the sixties Mbps.