[mythtv-users] Gigabit network (Was: Re: mythvideo and NFS)

[jack snodgrass]

On 9/17/06, Daniel A. Segel <mythtv at archer-segel.com> wrote:
> jack snodgrass wrote:
> > I can copy a 5GB video in about 3 minutes with my gigabit
> > ( with jumbo frames ) network setup.  Even on a 100mbit
> > link, 11 minutes seems a bit slow.
> >
> > I'm using:
> > rw,noatime,hard,intr,nfsvers=3,tcp,nolock,rsize=32768,wsize=32768
> > for my nfs mount options.
> >
> I've been messing with a gigabit network at home but am having a hard
> time getting any real improvements, partly because I can't get my NICs
> (RTL8169-based Linksys cards) to accept an MTU above about 6000.
>
> What network cards are you using, and what's your MTU set to?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Daniel

I use a 9000 byte MTU.

I've found in my testing that gigabit doesn't really buy you anyting
UNLESS you can get your hardware to do at least a 9000 byte MTU.

The switch is the hardest part to find cheap.   Recently, the
NETGEAR GS608 came out with a V2 version that works with
9000 byte MTUs. It says it on the box... the V1 version did not
do jumbo frames and did not say it on the box. You need the V2
version... they run $60 from new egg. Besides the Netgear V2 GS608,
the SMC 850 ( there is a 5 port and 8 port version ) support 9K MTUs.
they are under $100 too.... most other gigabit switches do NOT support
jumbo frames.

On the NICs, my motherboard have onboard gigabit nics and they
happend to support jumbo frames. I'm using the skge and forcedeath
drivers. As with the switches, you have to make sure that your
NICs do 9000 byte jumbo frames. Google has a couple of good
jumbo frame supported hardware pages. ( the GS608 V2 stuff is
new so some info still says that the GS608 does not do jumbo
frames )

jack