Improve MediaAgent to NetApp Storage Performance

Read/Write performance on a MediaAgent using aggreagate teamed NICs to a disk library's CIFS Mount paths located on NetApp Storage may be slow.  To improve performance try the following:

Change LACP (Link Aggreation Control Protocol) setting

If the MediaAgent's aggregate teamed NIC bandwidth is greater than the network bandwidth, put the teamed NIC's LACP in Active/Passive state so only one port initiates LACP negotiation. Passive state causes the port to responds to LACP packets it receives but does not initiate LACP negotiation.

Disable SMB signing

When SMB signing is enabled, all CIFS communications to and from Windows clients experience a significant impact on performance, which affects both the clients and the server (that is, the storage system running Data ONTAP).

1. On the Windows MediaAgent host, go to Start | Administrative Tools | Local Security Policy.
2. Expand Local Policies |Security Options and Disable the following options:

• Domain member: Digitally encrypt or sign secure channel data (always)
• Microsoft network server: Digitally sign communications (always)

Enable Jumbo Frames

If the connection between the MediaAgent and the NetApp storage is dedicated, configure all components in the path to use jumbo frames.  If other systems are on the same network, review the impact of using jumbo frames before enabling.

For more information see NetApps' Performance impact of SMB signing.