FXP or Direct Transfer between NAS on RT-N66U

[Texasman]

Hi folks, I'm wondering if you could help me optimize transfer speeds between my network drives.

I've got two Seagate External drives plugged into the Asus RT-N66U, and I've got them mounted with CIFS as Samba shares on my network. I'm running "rsync -avz" to backup one drive to the other from a Linux computer with an Ethernet connection, and I'm getting speeds of about 10MB/s — which isn't bad, but I'd love to get it up to 40 megabytes a second like they do when I'm plugging them directly into the computer.

I found someone asking a similar question here: http://superuser.com/questions/581096/transfer-files-between-two-nas-units-on-same-network

In one of the comments, they suggested FXP, which is some kind of advanced FTP protocol that allows direct connection between servers. But I'm not sure if my router even supports that protocol. I haven't installed Merlin yet, but maybe this is the push I need to make the move. Any input, ideas, or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[ColinTaylor]

FXP works by directing one remote FTP server to transfer files to/from another remote FTP server.
That won't help you because you only have one FTP server (the router) which has both drives attached to it.

As you have realised the transfer is slow because your rsync is copying data from the router to your PC and then back to the router. If your were to log onto the router you could copy the data much faster because both drives are locally attached. I think rsync is available as part of entware-ng, or just use "cp".

 

[Texasman]

Oh, that's really helpful, thanks!

 

[Nathan]

FXP works by directing one remote FTP server to transfer files to/from another remote FTP server.
That won't help you because you only have one FTP server (the router) which has both drives attached to it.

As you have realised the transfer is slow because your rsync is copying data from the router to your PC and then back to the router. If your were to log onto the router you could copy the data much faster because both drives are locally attached. I think rsync is available as part of entware-ng, or just use "cp".

What if it does involve two servers, but you don't know where the other server is personally (It's on the dark dark place called the Internet [insert cliche horror music])?

Possible Context 1: If I was downloading a massive file (or several of them) from the internet to my computer. Because of the size, it may take a day to finish all of them. Instead of keeping my PC turned on the whole time (cause it is a power hungry monster ), would it be possible to download it directly to my router (which has a storage device attached) so that I can turn my PC off through the night. (Bonus if it can move it too the PC when it turns on).

Possible Context 2 (Probably more difficult): If downloading to OneDrive/Other Cloud Platform, it will use lots of data; Downloading to PC, then re uploading. Would it be possible to download directly to OneDrive.

If you need to know, I usually download Videos (to 1Drive, as it syncs with my phone) and general files (to my PC overnight)
Edit: I use the same router as you (RT-AC68U)

 

[ColinTaylor]

Although I was aware of the possibility of remote controlling FTP sessions, as something that was part of the design of FTP, it's not something that I've personally used.

Basic FTP is already insecure (all data including passwords sent as plain text over the wire) so I would imagine a lot of FTP servers would disable any FXP ability. Regarding OneDrive, etc., as far as I know OneDrive doesn't support FTP so that's a non-starter. Other cloud services might be different though.

Sorry I can't be much help to you.

Edit: I suppose the real answer is for you to try it for yourself. If you do, let us know how you get on.

 

[Nathan]

Thats too bad, Thanks for the knowledge though. I'm sure I will find it useful.

I have several ideas already on how to do it, so I'll have to see how it goes.