Duo drops off the network when copying files

[letyougo]

The ReadyNAS Duo is set up. RAIDar can detect it and I can access the shares from either of my computers. I can copy a small file (such as a .jpg) to a share, and delete it without any problems.

But when I try to copy and paste a moderately large file or a folder containing files (just 160mb for example) to the ReadyNAS, the transfer starts, the directory is created and some data is transferred, but then the transfer always hangs and subsequently fails when only about 5% complete. The error message basically says that the network resource is not available. At this point the ReadyNAS has dropped off the network, RAIDar cannot detect it, and the only way I can bring it online again is to reboot it by holding the power button down to shut it down and restart.

It's exactly the same if I am accessing the Duo from the PC via ethernet cable, or the wireless Mac. I have also tried assigning the ReadyNAS to the DHCP server with exactly the same results. I have tried reserving a DHCP IP for the Duo's MAC address in my router settings, with no effect.

Also, in the RAIDar GUI under Network>Interfaces, I have changed the MTU to 1492 (from 1500) which I saw suggested somewhere, although I'm not sure what this is.


NETWORK DETAILS

Router:
192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.50 are assigned to DHCP server

ReadyNAS Duo (2x2TB) - Assigned to static IP beyond the DHCP's range

Computers:
Windows XP /ethernet cable - assigned to static IP beyond the DHCP's range
OSX 10.5.8 wireless laptop - acquiring IP from DHCP server

There are also a couple of other computers/ devices on this network, acquiring IP's from DHCP

[InTheShires]

I would check your Network settings in Frontview. Reboot' the NAS between any changes you make.

Are your drives showing any problems? Your description could, (could, only could) be a precursor of imminent drive problems. ( http://home.bott.ca/webserver/?p=388 )

Have you tried connecting to the NAS directly? Therefore eliminating any possible issues with Router and/or switch. ( http://sphardy.com/web/readynas/how-to- ... -readynas/ )

[letyougo]

Thanks for pointing me to a starting place. I have tried connecting the Duo directly to PC and everything works fine. So if this proves it's something to do with the router, what could I try next?

[StephenB]

It could also be the cable between the PC and the router (assuming your direct connect test used the cable between the router and the NAS).

Assuming it is a router, you could either replace it, or add a gigabit ethernet switch. What router model do you have?

[letyougo]

Cables should be fine as they work in other circumstances.

Router is a Dynalink RTA1025w. It handles file transfers across the network between my two computers OK... it isn't faulty, so why shouldn't it be capable of handling transfers to/from a ReadyNas duo?

Are 100m/bit switches/routers regarded as unsatisfactory for use with a NAS in a small home network?

[StephenB]

I am wondering if you have a DUO V2? What firmware is it running?

On the 100 mbit question - I would find a 100 mbit network very frustrating with a NAS. It should work, but the speeds are quite slow (~10 Mbyte/second). With Gigabit you are in the 80-100 MB/sec range, which is similar to many internal hard drives.

[Mastacheata]

On the 100 mbit question - I would find a 100 mbit network very frustrating with a NAS. It should work, but the speeds are quite slow (~10 Mbyte/second). With Gigabit you are in the 80-100 MB/sec range, which is similar to many internal hard drives.

While you are right that 100Mbit/s network is easily outperformed by the NAS, the proclaimed Gigabit speeds are out of reach for the DUO.
Even Netgear themselves report only 20-30 Mbyte/s in their performance graphs on the readynas.com page and I can confirm that.
100 Mbit/s means a theoretical performance of 12 Mbyte/s while 8-10 are more realistic. With Gigabit LAN the limiting point is not the Network but the processor.

[letyougo]

8-10 Mbytes/s would be adequate for me for now If I could just get that working. I could upgrade to a Gbit switch or router if I have to, but I want to understand how that will solve the problem before I spend more money, because in theory it should work perfectly well (though slowly) with a 100Mbit device, but currently isn't working whatsoever. What do I need to check on my existing router to confirm that it is configured correctly or otherwise for the NAS?

[mdgm]

Even Netgear themselves report only 20-30 Mbyte/s in their performance graphs on the readynas.com page

For the Duo (v1), yes.

8-10 Mbytes/s would be adequate for me for now If I could just get that working. I could upgrade to a Gbit switch or router if I have to, but I want to understand how that will solve the problem before I spend more money, because in theory it should work perfectly well (though slowly) with a 100Mbit device, but currently isn't working whatsoever. What do I need to check on my existing router to confirm that it is configured correctly or otherwise for the NAS?

Not all routers are compatible. Putting a gigabit switch between the router and the NAS and gigabit clients could be a good solution. This way communication between the ethernet devices is done via the switch (though they still receive IP addresses via the router and communicate with the internet and wireless clients via that).

What version of RAIDiator is the unit running? This should show in the Info (far right) column in RAIDar (http://www.readynas.com/downloads)

[letyougo]

RAIDiator 4.1.7. I don't think I have a Duo V2. It's just called ReadyNAS Duo.

OK, I see what you mean about bypassing the router with a switch. Sounds like it's worth a try.

[mdgm]

Yes that's a Duo (v1). Yes, it's a good solution as a switch will tend to be plug and play whereas a new router would require some reconfiguration or putting the new router in bridging mode and connecting it to the existing one.

What brand and model disks are they?

If you download your logs (Status > Logs > Download all logs) what does the partition.log look like?

[letyougo]

Assuming it is a router, you could either replace it, or add a gigabit ethernet switch. What router model do you have?

BOOM! problem seems to be solved. I purchased a Gigabit switch, and connected my computers and NAS to that instead of the router. So the problem was that my 100 Mbit router (Dynalink 1025w) is not adequate for file transfers to/from the RedayNAS.

Many thanks for all the replies which all helped steer me to solve this problem. I'm stoked to finally be able to start using my ReadyNAS!