On a Synology NAS DSM version 7.2 I can enable SMB multichannel to double file transfer speed by utilizing both network ports on the NAS, and both network ports on the PC. Apparently this is as simple as toggling a setting on the NAS, assuming two parallel network cables are connected to the switch from the NAS and PC. This is not the same as link aggregation, as far as I understand it it is solely for speeding up file transfer. Does anyone know for sure whether SMB mutichannel will work on a bog standard unmanaged switch? I have heard that for link aggregation to work to its fullest extent it needs a managed switch, but since this is not using link aggregation does the same limitation apply? I have read conflicting views on the matter, and it does seem to be one of those questions where people suddenly get all het up if anyone challenges their opinion, but hopefully someone here will know for sure.
SMB Multichannel on an unmanaged switch?
- Thread starter Bubo
- Start date
Yes requirements are the same number of network ports at each end, otherwise you can get odd results e.g. the synology diagram shows what happens with 3 connections at one end and 2 at the other = 1.5Gbps (3x0.5Gb) total
What is SMB3 Multichannel and how is it different from Link Aggregation? - Synology Knowledge Center
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Yes and no. It still offers multiple paths to a device, but depending on how you are accessing it e.g. ip address vs dns name, access may still be disrupted.
The main benefit with SMB Multichannel versus link aggregation is that you get a faster link with only a "single" connection, whereas with link aggregation you get a "wider" link that can only be saturated by "multiple" connections
Yes it will - for SMB multichannel, each network port is still treated as an individual network connection and has a separate IP address, the switch doesn't do anything clever, it's for the devices at each end to set up multiple channels and balance the load appropriately.
Depends on the type of link aggregation
e.g. both Adaptive Load Balancing, and Active/Standby will work without any switch configuration
Link Aggregation | DSM - Synology Knowledge Center
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@Armageus Thank you, this sums it up perfectly and succinctly answers my main question. I will be the only one connected to the NAS so don't need all the benefits of link aggregation offers over and above simply increasing file transfer speeds for a single user when all equipment is still 1GbE.