IBM-DTLA 45GB ATA-100 7200RPM
Timing buffered disk reads: 64MB in 1.82 seconds = 35.16 MB/sec

Someone please help me figure this out....

/sbin/hdparm -t -T /dev/hda

/dev/hda:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.20 seconds =640.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 13.00 seconds = 4.92 MB/sec


I posted in the hardware section with the problem im having...look at my buffred....my system laggs BAD whenever i unrar something or try to make a cd, or transfer files over the network. hdparm WONT let me enable DMA (-d1). I have a western digital special edition, 8.9 ms seek time, 7200 rpm, 8 meg buffer, and its a 100 gig...does any one have any ideas whats wrong?

EDIT: in windows, the drive is usint UDMA5, also my mobo is ata100, i have ata133 raid controlers on my board, but this drive isnt ata133 so i didnt bother putting it on the raid controler.

did you try some of the -X?? args with hdparm

Hi Everybody,

I have now downloaded & installed hdparm

I have read the man pages and fiddled a bit and got the results below... for each drive, I have tried to put them into UDMA5 (I think that's it anyway!) but have not had anappreciable effect, as you'll see

You can see that my /dev/hdb is a nice new Western Digital Caviar 120GB 7200RPM drive. I kind of expected more really...

Can anybody (David), give me any advice?

I'll do whatever it takes to get these 2 drives performing at their best...

Kit: -
Mandrake Linux 8.2
Duron 700/750 (can't remember)
512MB RAM (2x 256MB DIMMS PC133)
WD Caviar 20GB
WD Caviar 120GB
No other drives
It is serving my www (www.furrie.net) and other stuff (probably WAY TOO MUCH)

Sorry about the large post but information is everything & I'd rather supply too much than too little

***

[root@aegean /]# hdparm -iIacdgkmnru /dev/hda

/dev/hda:
multcount = 16 (on)
I/O support = 0 (default 16-bit)
unmaskirq = 0 (off)
using_dma = 1 (on)
keepsettings = 0 (off)
nowerr = 0 (off)
readonly = 0 (off)
readahead = 8 (on)
geometry = 2434/255/63, sectors = 39102336, start = 0

Model=WDC WD200EB-00BHF0, FwRev=15.15M15, SerialNo=WD-WMA6K4216710
Config={ HardSect NotMFM HdSw>15uSec SpinMotCtl Fixed DTR>5Mbs FmtGapReq }
RawCHS=16383/16/63, TrkSize=57600, SectSize=600, ECCbytes=40
BuffType=DualPortCache, BuffSize=2048kB, MaxMultSect=16, MultSect=16
CurCHS=16383/16/63, CurSects=16514064, LBA=yes, LBAsects=39102336
IORDY=on/off, tPIO={min:120,w/IORDY:120}, tDMA={min:120,rec:120}
PIO modes: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4
DMA modes: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 *udma2 udma3 udma4 udma5
AdvancedPM=no WriteCache=enabled
Drive Supports : Reserved : ATA-1 ATA-2 ATA-3 ATA-4 ATA-5


non-removable ATA device, with non-removable media
Model Number: WDC WD200EB-00BHF0
Serial Number: WD-WMA6K4216710
Firmware Revision: 15.15M15
Standards:
Supported: 1 2 3 4 5
Likely used: 5
Configuration:
Logical max current
cylinders 16383 16383
heads 16 16
sectors/track 63 63
bytes/track: 57600 (obsolete)
bytes/sector: 600 (obsolete)
current sector capacity: 16514064
LBA user addressable sectors = 39102336
Capabilities:
LBA, IORDY(can be disabled)
Buffer size: 2048.0kB ECC bytes: 40 Queue depth: 1
Standby timer values: spec'd by standard, with device specific minimum
r/w multiple sector transfer: Max = 16 Current = 16
DMA: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 *udma2 udma3 udma4 udma5
Cycle time: min=120ns recommended=120ns
PIO: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4
Cycle time: no flow control=120ns IORDY flow control=120ns
Commands/features:
Enabled Supported:
* READ BUFFER cmd
* WRITE BUFFER cmd
* Host Protected Area feature set
* look-ahead
* write cache
* Power Management feature set
Security Mode feature set
* SMART feature set
SET MAX security extension
* DOWNLOAD MICROCODE cmd
Security:
supported
not enabled
not locked
not frozen
not expired: security count
not supported: enhanced erase
HW reset results:
CBLID- above Vih
Device num = 0 determined by the jumper


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hda

/dev/hda:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 1.48 seconds = 86.49 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.68 seconds = 23.88 MB/sec


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -X69 /dev/hda

/dev/hda:
setting xfermode to 69 (UltraDMA mode5)


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hda

/dev/hda:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 1.45 seconds = 88.28 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.66 seconds = 24.06 MB/sec


***


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -iIacdgkmnru /dev/hdb

/dev/hdb:
multcount = 16 (on)
I/O support = 0 (default 16-bit)
unmaskirq = 0 (off)
using_dma = 1 (on)
keepsettings = 0 (off)
nowerr = 0 (off)
readonly = 0 (off)
readahead = 8 (on)
geometry = 14593/255/63, sectors = 234441648, start = 0

Model=WDC WD1200BB-00CAA1, FwRev=17.07W17, SerialNo=WD-WMA8C1762571
Config={ HardSect NotMFM HdSw>15uSec SpinMotCtl Fixed DTR>5Mbs FmtGapReq }
RawCHS=16383/16/63, TrkSize=57600, SectSize=600, ECCbytes=40
BuffType=DualPortCache, BuffSize=2048kB, MaxMultSect=16, MultSect=16
CurCHS=4047/16/255, CurSects=16511760, LBA=yes, LBAsects=234441648
IORDY=on/off, tPIO={min:120,w/IORDY:120}, tDMA={min:120,rec:120}
PIO modes: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4
DMA modes: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 *udma2 udma3 udma4 udma5
AdvancedPM=no WriteCache=enabled
Drive Supports : Reserved : ATA-1 ATA-2 ATA-3 ATA-4 ATA-5


non-removable ATA device, with non-removable media
Model Number: WDC WD1200BB-00CAA1
Serial Number: WD-WMA8C1762571
Firmware Revision: 17.07W17
Standards:
Supported: 1 2 3 4 5
Likely used: 5
Configuration:
Logical max current
cylinders 16383 4047
heads 16 16
sectors/track 63 255
bytes/track: 57600 (obsolete)
bytes/sector: 600 (obsolete)
current sector capacity: 16511760
LBA user addressable sectors = 234441648
Capabilities:
LBA, IORDY(can be disabled)
Buffer size: 2048.0kB ECC bytes: 40 Queue depth: 1
Standby timer values: spec'd by standard, with device specific minimum
r/w multiple sector transfer: Max = 16 Current = 16
DMA: mdma0 mdma1 mdma2 udma0 udma1 *udma2 udma3 udma4 udma5
Cycle time: min=120ns recommended=120ns
PIO: pio0 pio1 pio2 pio3 pio4
Cycle time: no flow control=120ns IORDY flow control=120ns
Commands/features:
Enabled Supported:
* READ BUFFER cmd
* WRITE BUFFER cmd
* Host Protected Area feature set
* look-ahead
* write cache
* Power Management feature set
Security Mode feature set
* SMART feature set
SET MAX security extension
* DOWNLOAD MICROCODE cmd
Security:
supported
not enabled
not locked
not frozen
not expired: security count
not supported: enhanced erase
HW reset results:
CBLID- above Vih
Device num = 1 determined by the jumper
Checksum: correct


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hdb

/dev/hdb:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 1.47 seconds = 87.07 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.35 seconds = 27.23 MB/sec


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -X69 /dev/hdb

/dev/hdb:
setting xfermode to 69 (UltraDMA mode5)


[root@aegean /]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hdb

/dev/hdb:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 1.48 seconds = 86.49 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.34 seconds = 27.35 MB/sec

Unless both of these drives are hooked up to an ATA100 controller, which isn't the standard for motherboard controllers yet, you can't cram it up to udma5. Also, are both attached with the new 80 line IDE cable, probably since you usually get one with the board, but then they also usually give you a crappy old 48 line cable.

udma2 sounds about right and I wouldn't argue with 20+ mb a second through a standard IDE channel, especially with 2 drives on it...

Cheers,

Finegan

Here it is:

Seagate 20.4 St320410A 5400 RPM

/dev/hda2 (linux partition) - 64 MB 6 secs , 9.4/sec

I am using RedHat 7.3. Write requests seem to be buffered in host cache. Linux continues to flush the write buffers long after the application completes. And even with this feature the write statistics (both in MB/sec and IOs/sec) recorded by the application is very low. Is there a way to turn write caching off in RedHat 7.3?

Jay

Hey chaps,

I have reset my settings and here's the results: -

[root@aegean furrie]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hda

/dev/hda:
Timing buffer-cache reads: ^[[A^Hb128 MB in 0.78 seconds =164.10 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.71 seconds = 23.62 MB/sec

[root@aegean furrie]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hdb

/dev/hdb:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.81 seconds =158.02 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.31 seconds = 27.71 MB/sec

I am not unhappy with my stats. Thanks for the help & advice.

Finegan, I have been to the farm and spent about an hour looking round all the links... Blimey!

Gotta Go, me teas ready

Cheers!

I can not even find hdparm on my computer. I am running Mandrake 8.2.

/dev/sda3:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.21 seconds =609.52 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.67 seconds = 38.32 MB/sec

Hello again everybody,

If you have Mandrake 8.2 and you can't find hdparm, you might like to click the link below to download its rpm...

hdparm-4.6-1mdk.i586.rpm

I did ;-)

Hey Jeremy, are you going to post the 'hdparm' results of the new server?

Cool

ata 133 highpoint raid
40 gig maxtors 7200 rpm

ward@linux:~> su
Password:
linux:/home/ward # hdparm -t /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.63 seconds = 39.26 MB/sec
linux:/home/ward # hdparm -t /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.60 seconds = 40.00 MB/sec
linux:/home/ward # hdparm -t /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.59 seconds = 40.25 MB/sec
linux:/home/ward # hdparm -tT /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.58 seconds =220.69 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.52 seconds = 42.11 MB/sec
linux:/home/ward #

[root@cc216248-A john]# hdparm -Tt /dev/hd*

/dev/hda:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.31 seconds =412.90 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.87 seconds = 34.22 MB/sec

/dev/hda1:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.32 seconds =400.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.90 seconds = 33.68 MB/sec

/dev/hda2:
read() failed: Success
Timing buffered disk reads: read() hit EOF - device too small

/dev/hda3:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.33 seconds =387.88 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 3.16 seconds = 20.25 MB/sec

/dev/hda5:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.33 seconds =387.88 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.85 seconds = 34.59 MB/sec

/dev/hda6:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.33 seconds =387.88 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.92 seconds = 33.33 MB/sec

/dev/hda7:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.32 seconds =400.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.11 seconds = 30.33 MB/sec

/dev/hda8:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.33 seconds =387.88 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.17 seconds = 29.49 MB/sec

/dev/hdb:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.32 seconds =400.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.88 seconds = 34.04 MB/sec

/dev/hdb1:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.31 seconds =412.90 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 1.90 seconds = 33.68 MB/sec

/dev/hdb2:
read() failed: Illegal seek
Timing buffered disk reads: read() hit EOF - device too small

/dev/hdb5:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.32 seconds =400.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.02 seconds = 31.68 MB/sec

/dev/hdd:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.53 seconds =241.51 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.24 seconds = 28.57 MB/sec

/dev/hdd1:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.31 seconds =412.90 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.25 seconds = 28.44 MB/sec

/dev/hdd2:
read() failed: Illegal seek
Timing buffered disk reads: read() hit EOF - device too small

/dev/hdd5:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.32 seconds =400.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.25 seconds = 28.44 MB/sec

/dev/hdd6:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.31 seconds =412.90 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.29 seconds = 27.95 MB/sec

/dev/hdd7:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.32 seconds =400.00 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.28 seconds = 28.07 MB/sec

/dev/hdd8:
Timing buffer-cache reads: 128 MB in 0.33 seconds =387.88 MB/sec
Timing buffered disk reads: 64 MB in 2.24 seconds = 28.57 MB/sec

Jeremy, this is where a fast CPU with reasonable HDs (WD Caviars, ATA\100 BB Series) and fast RAM come in handy. Note the part about buffered, Linux appears to be reading from the 2 MB drive buffers of my HDs directly on pass one on each part, and on pass 2 reading effective total transfer throughput. I did the parts to see what effect platter and head timing would do, pretty decent for drives running in ATA mode. Note that hdd is both physically much bigger and also not tuned. The first two drives are tuned and are at UDMA5 or ATA\100-- the third is not yet tuned, new and I got busy with a Beta thingy.... The controller is an ICH2 SB (Intel), off a i845B-step NB, and the CPU is a "lowly" 1.8 GHZ Willamette burn tranplanted to a 478 die(yes, this is a mobile chipset implementation on a desktop mainboard, a Soyo P4IY Fire Dragon.).

Mandy 8.2 made me load hdparm seperately, run it as root, but not bad.... The kernel is stock, untuned or custom compiled.

John.

How did you manage to increse your swap space without nuking your partition table?