Improvement in SMB Performance found

[2twisty]

My video data is stored on a windows server that I access via SMB from the Pi.

I was able to play back SD videos without any issue, but had problems with stuttering on Hi-Def sources. I added the video sources via the XBMC interface. However, since I wanted access to those shares from a terminal, I also mounted them in fstab. I used a standard mount entry with no options except for the username and password.

Code:

//video/files /media/video cifs username=uid,password=pwd 0 0

In an effort to keep my Pi healthy as long as possible, I had my overclock set to the "XBIAN" preset, figuring that the XBian folks knew what preset was best.

In this configuration, I had stuttering problems with my 1080p sources. That was no good. So, I started looking into it.

I started digging around the internet in linux forums for "slow smb linux" and I found the following thread:

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1429532

So, I decided to tweak a few things.

I created the file "cifs.conf" in /etc/modprobe.d and added the following to it:

Code:

options cifs CIFSMaxBufSize=130048

I then modified my fstab entries to include the directio and rsize options:

Code:

//video/files /media/video cifs directio,rsize=130048,username=uid,password=pwd 0 0

Then I rebooted the Pi to clean everything out and redo the mounts. My testing showed VAST improvement. Now, the HD movie was actually watchable, although it would have the occasional hiccup in playback. It was just often enough to be "unacceptable." So, since I had maxed out the rsize options (according to the mount.cifs manpage) I decided to look elsewhere for a performance enhancement.

So, I bumped my overclock up to "High" and rebooted.

Got smooth playback now.