Measuring the rates through the network isnt going to be very accurate because you are imposing other constrains that has nothing to do with the ZFS implementation (like poor cable quality, or poor firewall configurations etc). The rates I previously indicated are rates for the computer to write into a ZFS and mdadm volume and both gave very similar readings.
Here are some read ups that might help give some indication of the performance of ZFS vs mdadm/RAID
ZFS Performance
Post #392 On RAIDZ CPU usage being lower
Point #2 on CPU usage for RAID

more than happy to test the network speed for ZFS is there is a willing donor for the router though

Yeah. You are right. But I think won't be that bad luck.



The result not that good. But I can tolerate with the writing speed. Average 50MB/second copy from my desktop to the storage.

A lot of reading. Only the 1st link gave some real world data. It's not too bad but I get the impression that CPU usage seems very high.

LOL, I have 2 dead gigabit switches. One is an Asus 8 port that died after warranty and the other is Cisco 8 port that was very new but died. Not sure why. Never got to claim warranty because need to claim it from Singapore.

Not too bad. Better performance than those other NAS units that are more expensive. Software RAID under Windows usually gives better performance than the implementation of RAID under other OSes.

I believe the performance will scale up if you add one more drive. But be aware the long time required to sync the volume if you add one more drive. That is why I prefer hardware RAID 5 or just use RAID 0 from the motherboard.

why not consider a Hp procurve Gb-switch? It comes with lifetime warranty from HP..

Yes, I so want that Procurve 1810 but nobody here sells it. The only ones I found were the 1410 which is unmanaged switch.

I presume you have checked with HP and its reseller locally? I hv just sent an enquiry email to my HP distributor, who knows they might have it? I will let you know here if they 'ever' response . I'm using 1410-8g myself...

I think someone did mention about WD Sentinel DX4000 before?
Do you think we can get just the system without all the HDDs and the license copy of Windows 2008? It would be darn cheap if it can be done.

Ok, 1810-8G is available, if you (or just anyone) are keen pls let me know... it's in the region of RM500+.

Finally found the last unit of the N36L at Digital Mall...

You sure it would be cheap? Don't think they come without hardisk because their website only list these part number and all come with hardisk.



Besides, it will only work with the RE4-GP drives. Put in any other drive and it would not work.

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail...vVmpBYWRPNmw%3D

Anyway, why would you want the Sentinel? It's very slow with very slow rebuild times. I believe the RAID implementation is actually done by Windows Storage Server 20908 R2 (aka Software RAID) and the rebuild can take a few days. If you insist on an Intel platform which is inferior in this case in terms of CPU power and power consumption to AMD, then you can also get the Acer Revo RC111 which is cheaper that comes with WHS 2011 but does not come with drives.

If you don't mind software RAID, best would be to get the more powerful N36L. Even N40L is still very much cheaper than the Sentinel after you factor in the additional 4 drives yourself.

PM sent.

Congrats. I believe when I asked them the other time before Merdeka, they told me they had the last unit. I guess nobody bought that unit until you got it from them.

Congratulation an enjoy your new toy. Going to get 2 x 8GB ram soon. And HDD most probably next year.

Thanks. Actually it was a long trip down to Lowyat KL, no more stocks & lucky the staff was very helpful to help me check which outlet has the N36L. Luck was on my side & found it at Digital Mall PJ then rush all the way there. What a round trip....


yeap.. gonna enjoy it man.. not as lucky as u.. i only got additional 1GB ram.. now planning to get additional HDD.. lucky I've got 1 2TB to plug in for the moment..

The promotion come with 2GB RAM, you should request from them.

Yaya... Total 2x1gb only... Planning to get 4gbx2 if price is ok... U found any good deal for ecc ram?

No. I will go for Non-ECC ram.

Anyone here wanna have my 2GB ecc RAM, you may have it for RM50/-.

I run the N40L mainly for media & torrent server plus some background monitoring tools, I found that the 8GB (non-ecc) RAM is overly excessive ..

Going to run few VM and router simulation in my N36L, so I need more RAM.

Anyone flash the BIOS with the hacked BIOS on N36L/N40L?

This post has been edited by loonsave: Sep 22 2012, 04:39 PM

I did..

is there much price difference in non ECC and ECC? otherwise my opinion is to get the ECC since the system can support it

I think price should be quite difference for 8GB.