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iSCSI target vs. Samba vs. NFS share for storing backup files over the network

Hi All,

I'd like to know which one is the fastest transfer / throughput rate across the network for the file sharing ?

I'm trying to create some more datastore for storing the very large backup to disk files.

so I'm now considering between running the following over the network:

Ubuntu Server + Samba
Openfiler + iSCSI target (never try this before).

all of those will be over the gigabit network.

Thanks.

jjoz

ASKER

the shared network drive will be mainly used by Windows Server 2003

arnold

The question should start based on the destination supported by the backup & restore software i.e. can the software read/write from a mapped drive (samba/NFS)? Or does the software need to use a "local drive" (iscsi).
iscsi sends SCSI commands over Ethernet and depends on which option you choose when configuring the iscsi lun. blockio or fileio (preferred)
https://forums.openfiler.com/viewtopic.php?id=1846

samba/nfs has a lower overhead and would likely be faster.

jjoz

ASKER

thanks for the reply arnold, so for large sequential file transfer using samba over the network is better compares to iSCSI ?

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arnold

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mccracky

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jjoz

ASKER

Guys, thanks for the suggestion,
It seems that iSCSI is the fastest when configured properly with the following parameters in the Openfiler VM:

R/W Mode: Write-thru
Transfer Mode: blockio

am I doing it right ?
iSCSI-BlockIO-WriteThru.jpg

arnold

The settings you've choosen should be fine.
I've not checked whether the write back is a better performing setting.

jjoz

ASKER

thanks man !