Super Slow Linkstation - Need some help

[pbwhite]

   

I have a new Buffalo Linkstation 500GB, LS-CH500L

 

Connected it to the network via Linksys Router, BEFw11S4.

 

I'm getting abysmal transfer speeds - on the order of 500KB/s - 7 minutes to transfer 200MB!  I did a 12.4GB transfer, and left it at 10pm, it still wasn't even close to being finished at 8am.

 

I have the latest firmware, 1.07, and just did a factory reset.  Using Windows XP Home on a wireless connection, which is rock solid, and has great throughput.

 

This same transfer speed was evident when I connected a USB 2.0 Western Digital hard drive directly to the Linkstation, and brought files from the WD external to the Linkstation.

 

I've tried transfers after mapping the drives, using IP addresses, and using the server names in the address.  No better no matter what I attempt to do to fix the issue.

 

Thanks for any help!

 

Brian

 

 

[DumbTechDude]

   

Brian,

 

Your router is a 10/100 4 port switch, but is it a switching hub or a switched hub.  A good router/hub port forwards individual network traffic through Mac address lookup and then retains optimal link connection.  Not all the low end consumer routers do this.  The Linkstation has a gigabit LAN port.  To take advantage of the speed, you need a Gigabit switch (not switched) that has port forwarding capability through Mac address lookup.  Second, you need upgrade all cabling to Cat 5e cabling (except maybe the one to the modem) to take advantage of the gigabit speeds.  Third, you need a good 32bit Gigabit NIC on your computer (new Macs have them), but some PCs do not.  Lastly, your computer speed must be FAST, I mean FAST to funnel traffic through.  I mean, if you want fast Core i7 or i5 or even the latest dual cores. 

 

Lastly, if you are bringing files from your WD external to the Linkstation by its own GUI interface and internal LS program, then yes there is something wrong with this or is it even possible?  I don't own an LS; only Flexnet.  However, if you use a desktop computer to initiate a copy from the attached WD drive to the Linkstation, this is no different then copying files in your computer hard drive to the Linkstation. 

[pbwhite]

   

It's a hub for sure, but since there's no traffic besides my laptop, that shouldn't be an issue.  I don't want blazing fast transfer, just something other than glacially slow.  Even at a pathetic 10Mbps, I should be seeing over twice the transfer speeds I'm getting.

Incidentally, I have the same router at work, and use it with a ReadyNAS device, which is fed by CAT5, 10/100 switches, and the throughput there is more than adequate - 6+MB/s.

[DumbTechDude]

   

Brian,

 

Are we talking about a physical wired connection between your laptop and your NAS here. or are you using Wireless B to connect?  What speed can your NIC do (10 or 100 or 1000mbit/s)?  Connect your NAS directly to your computer's LAN with a Cat 5(e) cable to port  if you can, map drive and then test your throughput.  That's your base line.   Or disconnect the router to modem connection (WAN PORT) and use your router as a hub only to see if performance improves. 

 

Keep in mind that transfering files through WIFI with encryption on is going to tax your throuhgput, especially with your router which is WIFI B.  I had this router before and with B + WEP, the xfer rate was like less than 2Mbps.  Which was why I junked it years ago.  There are much better routers out there that do a better job.

 

Lastly, most gigabit LAN devices perform at their optimal throughput when connected to a gigabit switch even with Linkstation Live drives just to get a decent xfer speed.  Those ReadyNAS drives, especially the higher end one have faster processor and RAM that if they perform well even on the worst link connection, they will perform even better with a gigabit switch.  Higher end ReadyNAS or my Synology server of equivalent class is NOT in the same class as your Linkstation Live, so you can't compare apples and oranges.  Make sure again that your NIC and hub are at least gigabit or good 100mbit with port forward capability through MAC address translation.  Good gigabit switches and NICs are inexpensive these days anyways if you shop around.

 

[pbwhite]

   

Thanks for the info.  I will do the baseline testing, and report back.  Yes, I'm using a wireless B/G with WEP on the router - the NIC is 10/100, so I'll see what the direct connect yields.

[jjlofaro]

   

Wouldn't mind hearing what sort of transfer speed others get.

 

I have a fast i7 4 core, tons of memory, solid state drives, and gigabit to the NAS via Airstation ethernet ports.

 

I get 20MB/sec.

 

I think I am happy with this, but if I new I could debottle neck it somehow I'd try.  Large backups of media files seem to still take forever!