Need to Move data faster
I have moved all our company data to a DELL POWERVAULT NX3000 NAS we currently have 6-7 terabytes of data, things currently are not bogged down to bad, but my question is this. There are 4 Network Jacks on the server, will I gain any performance during heavy loads by utilizing more than one of them to the Switches, I have 2x 48 port switches, should I run a cable to each switch? Do I need to bridge the connections at that point, does each connection need its own IP address? How do you best configure things to move data the fastest. Currently the server has one IP and 1 Cat5 cable plugged it, but I can tell that at times were maxing it.
I just want to move data as fast as possible without having to dole out for Gigabit gear. Any help would be most appreciated.
I just want to move data as fast as possible without having to dole out for Gigabit gear. Any help would be most appreciated.
Ethernet switch or FC switch? Speed of cables?
What type of switches?
Lot's of ifs.
First, does the NAS box support NIC teaming/bonding/link aggregation?
If the NAS support link aggregation and it is connected to a switch that supports link aggregation, then you can combine 2-4 NIC's as a single logical path.
However, depending on what switches you have, all 4 connections may have to go to the same switch.
Even with link aggeration, it may not speed up your tranfsers. If a single client PC is attempting to transfer a file and that PC has one LAN connection, then you are limited to its speed. If you have 4 client PC's trying to do transfers, then you should get better tranfer speeds.
Lot's of ifs.
First, does the NAS box support NIC teaming/bonding/link aggregation?
If the NAS support link aggregation and it is connected to a switch that supports link aggregation, then you can combine 2-4 NIC's as a single logical path.
However, depending on what switches you have, all 4 connections may have to go to the same switch.
Even with link aggeration, it may not speed up your tranfsers. If a single client PC is attempting to transfer a file and that PC has one LAN connection, then you are limited to its speed. If you have 4 client PC's trying to do transfers, then you should get better tranfer speeds.
ASKER
OK some clarification, running 2 servers, 1 old dell Poweredge 2600 that houses Active Directory and DNS and a print Server, A Poweredge 4600 that backs up the first server and hosts Exchange, and finally the Nas - DELL POWERVAULT NX3000 NAS running server 2008 with 6x 2TB drives thats servers as our data/file server. 30 local Employees with 2-300 remote Webmail users.
All servers are linked to the network using 2x-Linksys/Cisco EtherFast® 4124 24-Port 10/100 Ethernet Switch's, Both Switches are linked to a Cisco RV082 Router that is being fed by Dual Cable Modems with a total of 100mb Down and 10mb upstream thruput.
Currently I run one Network Cable from each server into one of the switches, at any one time, I might have 10 people pushing or pulling data from the NAS,
So My Questions are:
Would I be better off using any or all of the other 3 Lan jacks on the NAS???
If so how would it need to be configured, does each Jack get its own IP???
Would Bridging the Jacks help?
Should I have a Cat5 running to each switch??? (I can see how a bunch of the data has to flow thru the router to get to the other switch to get to the server)
Any other thoughts or ideas on changes in my configuration?
Thanks in advance
All servers are linked to the network using 2x-Linksys/Cisco EtherFast® 4124 24-Port 10/100 Ethernet Switch's, Both Switches are linked to a Cisco RV082 Router that is being fed by Dual Cable Modems with a total of 100mb Down and 10mb upstream thruput.
Currently I run one Network Cable from each server into one of the switches, at any one time, I might have 10 people pushing or pulling data from the NAS,
So My Questions are:
Would I be better off using any or all of the other 3 Lan jacks on the NAS???
If so how would it need to be configured, does each Jack get its own IP???
Would Bridging the Jacks help?
Should I have a Cat5 running to each switch??? (I can see how a bunch of the data has to flow thru the router to get to the other switch to get to the server)
Any other thoughts or ideas on changes in my configuration?
Thanks in advance
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ASKER
Awesome, that's the information I have been searching for, will give this a shot, I knew there had to be a way. Will let you know how it turns out tomorrow.
O.K. From what it looks like your switch is non-managed and does NOT support link aggregation.
What this means is that when you team the NIC's you will increase your OUTBOUND data speed, as the NAS can send data out on each NIC. However, the data will only come in on ONE of the 4 NIC's. So inbound will be limited to 100 Mbps.
I agree with, mcsween, get a inexpensive switch that is Gigabit capable. This would increase not only your outbound transfer rates, but your inbound.
What this means is that when you team the NIC's you will increase your OUTBOUND data speed, as the NAS can send data out on each NIC. However, the data will only come in on ONE of the 4 NIC's. So inbound will be limited to 100 Mbps.
I agree with, mcsween, get a inexpensive switch that is Gigabit capable. This would increase not only your outbound transfer rates, but your inbound.
ASKER
Have already noticed a big difference! Thanks for the assist, never knew about NIC Teams but they are perfect for what I needed.
Appart from that kind of solution, you should be able to team NICS from the client of your NAS...but that won't allow to get a single file faster, it will allow to have 2 Gbe streams from your client.