Re: Slug

[mark <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Wayne,
The speed issue was my concern as well.
I have tried streaming everything from DVD's to MP3's down to my
"home-theatre PC" from the "Slugs" with no hic-ups or
problems at
all.    Other units that incorporate the drive as a one-box solution
usually connect via IDE direct without the need for the USB bus.  This
has got to be faster than the SLUG, probably same as accessing a network
attached PC.   As far as I am concerned, if the SLUG streams to clients
without a hitch, then it is doing fine.    The next step for me is to
hook-up my Windows server that is acting as a back-up for the data.
The software I use will automatically check the SLUG's for any new files
and update the backup copy overnight.  I expect that this process will
be slower than previously.

Trying to be more scientific about this, I have run a test to determine
the "real-life" sustained data-rates from the Slug.
- Slug located in Node-0 in Loft
- Connected to a 100Mb/Sec Ethernet Switch
- Client located in downstairs study, Windows-XP connected to Ethernet
Switch.
- Copied a 290Mb video file from the Slug to the Windows client
- Transfer took 55 seconds
- Therefore sustained data rate is 5.3Mb/Sec

The "IDE internal" based attached storage drives would be
substantially
more expensive for the amount of storage space I wanted.  So for the
price, I'm very happy with the Slugs.

Regarding Slimserver, I have it installed on one of the Slugs already.
It works fine with the clients on my network (except my Netgear MP101,
but that is a Netgear bug).   Not an expert on the hacking side of
things though as a mate installed that for me.

Cheers,
Mark