Test Methodology
Network Storage Configurations | 
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armari BrontaStor 822R-E4  | 
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| CPU | 3.30GHz Intel Xeon E3-1230 v3 (quad-core, 8MB cache)  | 
      1.30GHz Marvell Armada CP (dual-core)  | 
      2.00GHz Marvell 6282 (single-core)  | 
      2.13GHz Intel Atom D2700 (dual-core, 1MB  cache)  | 
      1.86GHz Intel Atom D2550 (dual-core, 1MB cache)  | 
      1.80GHz Intel Atom D525 (dual-core, 1MB cache)  | 
    
| Memory | 16GB DDR3 ECC  | 
      512MB DDR3  | 
      1GB DDR3  | 
      1GB DDR3  | 
      2GB DDR3  | 
      2GB DDR3  | 
    
| Disk drives | 8 x 3TB Seagate Constellation ST3000NC002 (included)  | 
      4x 1TB Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 (included)  | 
      4x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ (optional)  | 
      4x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ (optional)  | 
      5x 1TB Samsung HD103SJ (optional)  | 
      4x 4TB Hitachi HDS5C4040ALE630 (included)  | 
    
| RAID mode | RAID 5  | 
      RAID 5  | 
      RAID 5  | 
      RAID 5  | 
      RAID 5  | 
      RAID 5  | 
    
| Network connection | Gigabit Ethernet / Intel 10 Gigabit  | 
      Gigabit Ethernet  | 
      Gigabit Ethernet  | 
      Gigabit Ethernet  | 
      Gigabit Ethernet  | 
      Gigabit Ethernet  | 
    
| Firmware | Open-E DSS V6 Single Node (6.0up98.8801.7337)  | 
      3.3.4.29856  | 
      4.0.0 Build 20130411  | 
      3.6.0 Build 0220T  | 
      2.03.08  | 
      01.05.08.31  | 
    
Benchmarks | 
    
|---|
| Iometer v2008.06.18-RC2 File Copy Test (8.83GB) Intel NAS Performance Toolkit v1.7.1 Power Consumption  | 
    
Notes
All of our comparison NAS servers are tested using a single Gigabit Ethernet link with Jumbo frames disabled, and are connected to our Intel client machine and network via a Netgear GS108 switch. The Armari BrontaStor 822R-E4 is also tested using a direct Intel 10 Gigabit connection.
Iometer, a familiar benchmark in our test suite, is an I/O subsystem measurement tool. For the purpose of our NAS testing, we set a queue depth of 16 (outstanding I/Os) and run the following tests:
- 64KB transfer, 100% sequential, 100% read
 - 64KB transfer, 100% sequential, 100% write
 - 1MB transfer, 100% sequential, 100% read
 
Taking a look at a basic usage scenario, our file copy test involves moving a mixed assortment of files totalling 8.83GB in size from our client to the NAS. The result is recorded in MB/s.
Our third benchmark - the NAS Performance Toolkit, developed by Intel - is a file-system exerciser specifically designed to provide performance comparisons between NAS devices. Intel's utility focuses on user-level performance using real-world workload traces gathered from typical digital home applications such as HD video playback and record. Intel NASPT reproduces the file-system traffic observed in these traces onto a chosen storage solution and records performance in MB/s.
Last but not least, we measure NAS power draw during three states; under load, idle and standby mode if applicable.
