#need more speed 4 my net
13 messages in this thread
hi all,
currently we have a 11 pc's and 3 powerPC's on a network with an SGI Iris 4/310
GTX (with 2 9gb external drives and a Metrum tape backup) as a file server. The
Network Cards are EISA 10mb/s attached via 10mb/s hubs wired with category 5
10baseT cabling.
any ideas on how to make this a lot faster? The network is just way too slow
and this is impacting production and network rendering.
Start by getting something other than the 4/310 as a server and then put faster
network cards in.
What's your primary problem with the network:
a.) You're using NFS and it takes forever to transfer a file to the 4/310 b.)
You're running into collision problems
Paul
Paul,
thanks for the reply. Hey, all your phone numbers have changed without a
forwarding message. Please e-mail your new numbers – unless you've gone into
hiding, or something <g>.
>> Start by getting something other than the 4/310 as a server and then put
faster network cards in. <<
we're considering a machine called the "network toaster" (or similar).
>> What's your primary problem with the network:
a.) You're using NFS and it takes forever to transfer a file to the 4/310 >>
takes about 20 seconds to dos (6.22) copy a 1.1Mb file from my local drive to
the network drive (d: to p:). Whereas, it only takes 1.5 seconds for the local
drive to copy it to itself (d: to d:). I'll need to do more scientific tests
with a totally unloaded network.
>>
b.) You're running into collision problems
<<
I'm not sure how to measure this, but I think we may have this problem too.
thanks for the reply
Martin
Martin,
I just moved onto an island in the Chesapeake Bay :-), Deep water access less
than 40 yards off my back deck! I've been faxing out updated numbers but, I
haven't yet found your fax number at Metrolight. I know I had it when we were
talking about machines, but I fear it's buried in the mounds of paperwork I
moved. E-mail me your fax number and I'll get an updated phone number list out
to you.
Going with a different server should help tremendously, the 20 seconds is a
ridiculous transfer time. I take it you're just plugged into the network port
on the back of the 4/310? If so that'll almost always be dog slow. Although
the 20 seconds is slow even for that config. I'd definately look at a dedicated
server or the like. Even an Indy server should give you better speed. Not to
mention the 2D graphics work on the Indy flies.
Something else I thought about yesterday …you aren't running the 3DS SGI
renderer on that 4/310 are you. If you are then the renderer will almost always
take priority and the file transfers will simply sit in limbo.
Another thing you should probably look at is striping those drives. As cheap as
those 9gigs are, the speed enhancement is well worth the investment. It's also
extremely easy to do on the SGI. I have all of my server drives striped.
Paul
Paul,
>> E-mail me your fax number and I'll get an updated phone number list out to
you. <<
I'll e-mail it right away.
>> Going with a different server should help tremendously, the 20 seconds is a
ridiculous transfer time. I take it you're just plugged into the network port
on the back of the 4/310? <<
we are looking into a different server, although we have invested quite a bit
of money in PC-NFS so that has to stay the same. We are not using network
rendering because you need an R4000 or above. This old 4/310 only has a
R2000/R3000. And yes, I believe the ethernet is just plugged into the network
(ethernet) port on the back.
>> Another thing you should probably look at is striping those drives <<
I'm not sure if they are striped or not. Does that mean they work together to
improve the throughput? We do need all 18gb capacity, so if striping cuts the
capacity in half I don't think we could do it.
Have you investigated the Metrum tape drive yet? It's the nicest piece of
high-end equipment we have – although only a loaner.
a big thanks for the tips 🙂
Martin
Martin,
Paul's right. A nice little Challenge S (Indy-based) server would be
better. Striping gives you the same amount of data, just splits up the writes.
For instance, with 8 drives, an 8-bit chunk of data could have 1-bit written to
each of the drives. Since SCSI can multitask requests (request the write or
read, then leave the SCSI controller to handle the request while the cpu moves
on) you get faster effective access.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin,
>> Paul's right. A nice little Challenge S (Indy-based) server would be
better. Striping gives you the same amount of data, just splits up the writes.
<<
a Challenge S, huh? Sounds expensive. Striping sounds promising, though. Do you
need a special controller for that?
Martin,
a R4400SC 150MHZ Challenge S w/32M & 1 gig (hah!) lists for $16,600.
Slower ones around $12k. The Challenge S has FAST & WIDE SCSI, vs. the Indy's
FAST SCSI. You can also use the Indy as a server – throughput is intended to
be better with the Challenge (which is basically a souped-up Indy box).
Striping should be possible as long as you have enough drives.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Kevin,
>> a R4400SC 150MHZ Challenge S w/32M & 1 gig (hah!) lists for $16,600.
Slower ones around $12k. The Challenge S has FAST & WIDE SCSI <<
excellent! that's less than I thought. Cool, it might even be within the
budget.
Martin, PMJI, but striping = RAID. If your controller supports RAID (I'm not
sure what level striping is) you should be able to get it to work. There are
also software based systems, but that's in the PC world. No clue on the SGI
thing. Just thought you might want to know.
DM
Martin,
Disk Striping is software implemented on the SGI boxes. If you decide to do it,
I can easily walk you through it over the phone, or I'm sure there's bound to
be someone wandering around Metrolight who has enough IRIX savvy to pop their
head in and get it going for you. The SGI implementation is alot cleaner and
more efficient on the SGI boxes due to the hardware and software.
I may appear at NAB, if you're going to be there we could grab a bite to eat
and discuss your network situation. I'd love to swing by your office but I'm
probably to busy to take the extra time.
Give me a call if ou get a chance and I'll see if I can't help you get headed
in the right direction.
Take Care, Paul
Paul,
>> Disk Striping is software implemented on the SGI boxes. If you decide to do
it, I can easily walk you through it over the phone <<
the Challenge/S sounds like a good contender for our file server. I'm not sure
if I would be expected to handle the disk striping. If I do then I appreciate
your offer of help and may take you up on it.
I don't think I can go to NAB, but I'm still hanging onto the slim hope I can
slip out of here for 1 day/night – in which case I'd love to get together. I'm
dying to see what DPS has up their sleeve…
David,
>> but striping = RAID <<
got it. That sounds cool.