RT-AC88U high cpu usage when copy to USB

[Piccolo]

Dear all, i have RT-AC88U and Merlin 386.14.2 - When i copy something to my NAS create in router (USB 3.0 stick) cpu on router is almost 100% usage on both cores and memory is almost at limit. In this time it's normal that internet connection is slow and response from router is very slow. If i remember well it's almost from begining, wrtmerlin version is not case i think. It's normal behaviour? Slowly it's annoying me and i think buy more powerful asus with new cpu and 4 cores for example. But i don't be so sure if this is fixed in new version of routers? Thank you!

 

[Ripshod]

You'll be just about due an upgrade anyway.
Router's are not designed to be a NAS, it's only available as a sales gimmick. Even with the latest router I feel you'll still be disappointed though maybe not so much.
Save up, upgrade the router, then buy yourself something designed for file storage - a real NAS.

 

[bennor]

It's normal behaviour?

Generally, yes that is normal behavior when copying a large file. You are trying to use a router with its limited processor and RAM as a NAS (file server and media server). You will see an impact on the processor and RAM when copying files to/from the router attached USB storage medium. High RAM usage is common when copying files to/from a USB storage device. There are number of past thread discussions about it.

Anomaly RAM Usage 97%

Hello community, i m a little bit afraid about my Asus Router (with merlin firmware)... I m actually using about the 97% of the RAM. How could i understand what is using all these RAM? Is it possible that could be done by the DNS DIrector feature? RT-AX88U Pro Current Version : 3004.388.6_2

www.snbforums.com

One can try clearing the cache to drop the RAM usage temporarily. But as you access the USB drive to copy/read files on it, that RAM usage will go right back up to around 95% to 97%. One user setup a CRON job to clear the cache daily. See this link. To clear the cache using SSH, issue one of the following commands.

sync; echo 1 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches
or
sync && echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches
or
free && sync && echo 3 > /proc/sys/vm/drop_caches && free

One suggestion, if you continue to use the router as a NAS, is to dump the USB flash drive and use a USB SSD drive instead. Lots of past discussions on why a SSD drive is better than a flash drive for repeated read/write access. Ultimately it may be better to either buy or build a NAS and offload the task from the router to a separate NAS. Plenty of DIY guides out there for building a NAS from spare parts.