ReadyNAS NV+ Disappears from Network

[bohnsack]

I haven't had a chance do any further testing. I am trying to get enough work out of the way to test direct (no switch) client<->server and then with a different switch this weekend. With any luck, I'll have some new data early next week.

I've tested direct connect and things seem just as bad.

Details: WinXP on an HP x4000 workstation with a CAT5e cross-over cable (no switch). Both ends at 100 Mb/s full duplex. As soon as I try moving files via CIFS, the ReadNAS locks up from from a network perspective and a hard reboot is required for it to become pingable again.

I'm going to buy a new GigE switch and CAT5e cables now for testing later today, but I'm afraid I'm going see the same behavior with the new equipment. I'm also planning on using Linux on a Z61m thinkpad for the client, instead of the windows machine.

The ReadyNAS is now in a state where is says it needs to resync, so I'm going to wait to do further tests until that process is complete.

My test plan now looks like this:

a) Wait for re-sync to complete.
b) Connect Z61m Thinkpad running Linux to ReadNAS NV+ via GigE switch and brand new CAT5e cables.
c) Verify iozone operations against local filesystem
d) Run iozone for five minutes against ReadyNAS, followed by a collection and posting of log files. If that works:
- run iozone for 2 hours, collect and post log files
- run iozone for 24 hours, collect and post log files

e) If 5 min, 2 hr, or 24 hr iozone via new GigE switch and CAT5e cables doesn't work, reboot, resync, filesystem check, and try direct connect again (this time with Thinkpad) via new CAT5e crossover cable. Do same iozone tests at 5 min, 2 hr, 24, hour, collecting and posting log files if a failure is seen.

Does this plan seem reasonable? Any thing else I should test? What should I do if things still don't work after all of this?

Thank you.

[bohnsack]

I'm not having luck with anything from my test plan - there are all kinds of strange behaviors including the admin webserver fails startup after some reboots, less than 1 Mb/s read/write performance, lockups, etc.

Could this be related to a v3.01c1-p6 ReadyNAS network/firmware issue?

The reason I suspect this is that I can no longer make my ReadyNAS autonegotiate speed/duplex, as discussed in this thread: http://www.infrant.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8219&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15

I'm going to try reloading the firmware as discussed here and see if that helps: http://www.infrant.com/wiki/index.php/FAQ#How_do_I_re-install_the_firmware.3F

[bohnsack]

Using the paperclip to force a firmware reload has seen a tremendous improvement. The ReadyNAS now negotiates to 1000 Mb/s and I'm getting good performance. Will continue to do some benchmarks.

[kolano]

I'm seeing this same issue with disappearing NAS's. I'm seeing it with both 3.01c1-p6 and 3.01c1-p4 though the effect is slightly different depending on the firmware version.

3.01c1-p4: NAS completely disappears (i.e. shares, web interface, configuration interface, listing in RAIDar all missing)

3.01c1-p6: NAS is unreachable, but still shows up in RAIDar

[yoh-dah]

I'm seeing this same issue with disappearing NAS's. I'm seeing it with both 3.01c1-p6 and 3.01c1-p4 though the effect is slightly different depending on the firmware version.

3.01c1-p4: NAS completely disappears (i.e. shares, web interface, configuration interface, listing in RAIDar all missing)

3.01c1-p6: NAS is unreachable, but still shows up in RAIDar

What if you directly connect your PC to the ReadyNAS? Also, before doing this, try disconnecting the network cable for 10secs and reconnecting. The only other thing I can think of would be if you had a non-compatible (or badly behaving) USB device that was causing a lot of interrupts -- make sure you disconnect all USB devices as a test (you'll probably need to reboot after this).

[kolano]

I have no USB devices attached, directly attaching the NAS has no effect.

I did start receiving "New SMART disk errors detected" emails though so I have a feeling these issues may be related to that. I'm definitely a bit irked though, as dropping off the network isn't the action I want to see when disk errors are seen. I'd much prefer if the box would just send a warning and rely on it's parity to keep the data available, perhaps restricting further data writes.

[rubberduck100]

Please try out...
Shut down all sorts of Firewalls and antispy/virus software on your computer (temp). Also shut down your firewall in your router.

Temp. shut down sofware; go to RUN type MSCONFIG and search for the programs under STARTUP and SERVICE for programs that look like antivirus and or firewall etc. Deselect the programs temp. so you can filter out the programs that seems to cause of the problem. Restart your computer and so on and try to connect. select the programs step by step to sort out witch program cause the problem

Succes,

Hello, I'm having serious reliability issues with my new ReadyNAS NV+. When doing as little as 200-500 MB of I/O, it disappears off of the network - no ping response, etc. The only thing that seems to bring it back to life after it leaves the network is forcing the unit to shutdown by depressing the power button and then powering it back up after it shuts down.

Basic Specs...

Model: Infrant ReadyNAS NV+
Serial: 000da201278a
Firmware: RAIDiator™ v3.01c1-p6 [1.00a034]
Memory: 256 MB [2.5-3-3-7]
MAC Address: 00:0D:A2:01:27:8A
IP Address: 192.168.1.252
Disks: 4 x Seagate ST3750640AS

I'm running through a DLink DI-624 Wireless router / 100 Mb/s switch and have not yet run a point-to-point Ethernet test.

I have run the ReadyNAS though its self-memory diagnostics routine three times, and no errors have been reported.

Can you please help me figure out what's going on? I will send all logs to your logs email address and reference this post.

Thanks for your help!

SMART Information for all the disks follows...

SMART Information for Disk 1

Model: ST3750640AS
Serial: 3QD03J4D
Firmware: 3.AAD

SMART Attribute

Raw Read Error Rate 0
Spin Up Time 0
Start Stop Count 14
Reallocated Sector Ct 0
Seek Error Rate 8432433
Power On Hours 500
Spin Retry Count 0
Power Cycle Count 16
Hardware ECC Recovered 35951772
Current Pending Sector 0
Offline Uncorrectable 0
UDMA CRC Error Count 0
Multi Zone Error Rate 0
TA Increase Count 0
ATA Error Count 0

Extended Attribute

Hot-add events 0
Hot-remove events 0
Power glitches 0
Hard disk resets 0
Retries 0
Repaired sectors 0

SMART Information for Disk 2

Model: ST3750640AS
Serial: 3QD081P4
Firmware: 3.AAD

SMART Attribute

Raw Read Error Rate 0
Spin Up Time 0
Start Stop Count 14
Reallocated Sector Ct 0
Seek Error Rate 8428162
Power On Hours 500
Spin Retry Count 0
Power Cycle Count 16
Hardware ECC Recovered 219822909
Current Pending Sector 0
Offline Uncorrectable 0
UDMA CRC Error Count 0
Multi Zone Error Rate 0
TA Increase Count 0
ATA Error Count 0

Extended Attribute

Hot-add events 0
Hot-remove events 0
Power glitches 0
Hard disk resets 0
Retries 0
Repaired sectors 0

SMART Information for Disk 3

Model: ST3750640AS
Serial: 3QD07X9V
Firmware: 3.AAD

SMART Attribute

Raw Read Error Rate 27457636
Spin Up Time 0
Start Stop Count 14
Reallocated Sector Ct 0
Seek Error Rate 8125567
Power On Hours 500
Spin Retry Count 0
Power Cycle Count 16
Hardware ECC Recovered 90737466
Current Pending Sector 0
Offline Uncorrectable 0
UDMA CRC Error Count 0
Multi Zone Error Rate 0
TA Increase Count 0
ATA Error Count 0

Extended Attribute

Hot-add events 0
Hot-remove events 0
Power glitches 0
Hard disk resets 0
Retries 0
Repaired sectors 0


SMART Information for Disk 4

Model: ST3750640AS
Serial: 3QD05FSX
Firmware: 3.AAD

SMART Attribute

Raw Read Error Rate 27576275
Spin Up Time 0
Start Stop Count 14
Reallocated Sector Ct 0
Seek Error Rate 7839447
Power On Hours 500
Spin Retry Count 0
Power Cycle Count 16
Hardware ECC Recovered 44715746
Current Pending Sector 0
Offline Uncorrectable 0
UDMA CRC Error Count 0
Multi Zone Error Rate 0
TA Increase Count 0
ATA Error Count 0

Extended Attribute

Hot-add events 0
Hot-remove events 0
Power glitches 0
Hard disk resets 0
Retries 0
Repaired sectors 0

[Olav]

Hmm, I have a somewhat similar problem and after looking at my own logs I see both the system and kernel log spammed with entries like:

Oct 2 13:19:22 NAS1 kernel: phy_irq 8100 repeated 51265

is this normal? And if not, got any idea what could cause it?

[micawber]

Just purchased my ReadyNAS for central backup duties across multiple PC's and MACs on my wireless network using the Linksys WRT54GS V1.0 access point/router.

Having exactly the same problems as everyone else. Set it up fine. Started writing a large folder of (small) music files and the connection gets lost and aborts the file copy. This always happens within 10-20 minutes. Sometimes I can reconnect immediately to the NAS. Sometimes I cannot.

I have WPA TKIP enabled. I'm using DHCP. I've changed the MTU down to 1400. I've updated the router firmware. No difference. Tried the NAS memory test once and it was fine. There must be some obvious common problem affecting most people here.

Does anyone have a wireless backup strategy working reliably (99.5%) and who would be prepared to share their main wireless settings?

[dchang0]

micawbr:

Your problem could be made up of many smaller problems. I'd advise you to get a solid connection going with a hardwired Ethernet crossover cable first (no switch in between--just PC to NAS), then step up to wired switch in-between and then up to wireless. Divide and conquer, so to speak.

As for workable wireless settings, leave the MTU at 1500. The ReadyNAS seems to work best at exactly 1500.

Wireless settings that have worked for me:

WPA2 Personal, TKIP
WPA2 Personal, AES
WEP 128bit

None of them gave me any trouble with copies or disconnects. They're just slow, as would be expected of WiFi connections.

I think what you'll find is that your wireless router may not be maintaining the WiFi connection. I always had trouble if I took my laptop out into the yard on the WiFi connection. It would time out after a while.

[micawber]

Thanks dchang. I appreciate you responding.

I think that you are probably right about losing connectivity. It's probably a wireless issue. It is just so frustrating given that my PC is in the same room as my router and I can't maintain a connection. It doesn't make my set up sensible for a wireless backup strategy!

I'll give the hard wire a go.

Cheers

[phli]

I see this thread is 2.5 yrs old, but I'm having a very similar problem w/ ReadyNAS Duo I bought 3 days ago. I'm curious how the story detailed in this thread ended?