Slow USB DVD writes what do i check.

Spirals · 10-31-2009, 04:24 PM

I am backing up 4.2 GB iso images to DVD-Rs using an external USB 2.0 based DVD Burner, via K3b in the "direct burn" mode. I am seeing write speed of only 0.6x.

I have usbutils installed and I upgraded the driver (IDE) inside the box from a x8 unit to a x20 unit with no change in the displayed write speed of 0.6x A 3.9GB iso just completed took 70 minutes wall clock time.

When used as an internal unit the DVD burner was writing at 18x consistently.

The images are stored on a 400GB 7500 rpm IDE disk, it is 27% full, has a reiser fs and a single full partition.

Not certain what to check or parameters to tweak, any suggestions how to fix this. Or where in the code to attempt to raise performance (lot of code)? Need DVD-Rs as they to be shipped by post overseas, so use of ahard drives for backup is not a solution. I am running on Lenny.
(dja.) spirals.

Spirals · 10-31-2009, 05:00 PM

TheUSB DVD drive is an iomega DVDRW16USB with a SH-S202 2oX burner substituted (has an IDE interface inboard).
uname -a :
Linux tigger 2.6.26-2-686 #1 SMP Sun Jun 21 04:57:38 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux

lspci:
00:00.0 Host bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 745 Host (rev 01)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] Virtual PCI-to-PCI bridge (AGP)
00:02.0 ISA bridge: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS85C503/5513 (LPC Bridge)
00:02.1 SMBus: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] SiS961/2 SMBus Controller
00:02.2 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.1 Controller (rev 07)
00:02.3 USB Controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] USB 1.1 Controller (rev 07)
00:02.5 IDE interface: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] 5513 [IDE] (rev d0)
00:02.7 Multimedia audio controller: Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS] AC'97 Sound Controller (rev a0)
00:0c.0 Ethernet controller: 3Com Corporation 3c905C-TX/TX-M [Tornado] (rev 74)
00:0d.0 SCSI storage controller: Initio Corporation INI-935 Fast Wide SCSI Adapter (rev 01)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: ATI Technologies Inc 3D Rage Pro AGP 1X/2X (rev 5c)
tigger:/home/spirals/Desktop# lshw

lsusb -v

Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 1.10
bDeviceClass 9 Hub
bDeviceSubClass 0 Unused
bDeviceProtocol 0 Full speed (or root) hub
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x1d6b Linux Foundation
idProduct 0x0001 1.1 root hub
bcdDevice 2.06
iManufacturer 3 Linux 2.6.26-2-686 ohci_hcd
iProduct 2 OHCI Host Controller
iSerial 1 0000:00:02.3
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 25
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0xe0
Self Powered
Remote Wakeup
MaxPower 0mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 9 Hub
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0 Full speed (or root) hub
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0002 1x 2 bytes
bInterval 255
Hub Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 41
nNbrPorts 3
wHubCharacteristic 0x0002
No power switching (usb 1.0)
Ganged overcurrent protection
bPwrOn2PwrGood 1 * 2 milli seconds
bHubContrCurrent 0 milli Ampere
DeviceRemovable 0x00
PortPwrCtrlMask 0xff
Hub Port Status:
Port 1: 0000.0100 power
Port 2: 0000.0100 power
Port 3: 0000.0100 power
Device Status: 0x0003
Self Powered
Remote Wakeup Enabled

Bus 001 Device 006: ID 059b:0251 Iomega Corp. Optical
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 2.00
bDeviceClass 0 (Defined at Interface level)
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x059b Iomega Corp.
idProduct 0x0251 Optical
bcdDevice 0.01
iManufacturer 56 Iomega
iProduct 63 Optical USB 2.0 Drive
iSerial 85 DEF1097C3658
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 32
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0xc0
Self Powered
MaxPower 0mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 8 Mass Storage
bInterfaceSubClass 6 SCSI
bInterfaceProtocol 80 Bulk (Zip)
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x02 EP 2 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x88 EP 8 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 0
Device Qualifier (for other device speed):
bLength 10
bDescriptorType 6
bcdUSB 2.00
bDeviceClass 0 (Defined at Interface level)
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
bNumConfigurations 1
Device Status: 0x0001
Self Powered

Bus 001 Device 004: ID 071b:5785 Domain Technologies, Inc.
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 1.10
bDeviceClass 0 (Defined at Interface level)
bDeviceSubClass 0
bDeviceProtocol 0
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x071b Domain Technologies, Inc.
idProduct 0x5785
bcdDevice 1.00
iManufacturer 1 CUM785RA
iProduct 2 CUM785RA
iSerial 3 V1.3.03
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 32
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0x80
(Bus Powered)
MaxPower 400mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 2
bInterfaceClass 8 Mass Storage
bInterfaceSubClass 6 SCSI
bInterfaceProtocol 80 Bulk (Zip)
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x01 EP 1 OUT
bmAttributes 2
Transfer Type Bulk
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0040 1x 64 bytes
bInterval 0
Device Status: 0x0001
Self Powered

Bus 001 Device 002: ID 05e3:0606 Genesys Logic, Inc. USB 2.0 Hub / D-Link DUB-H4 USB 2.0 Hub
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 2.00
bDeviceClass 9 Hub
bDeviceSubClass 0 Unused
bDeviceProtocol 0 Full speed (or root) hub
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x05e3 Genesys Logic, Inc.
idProduct 0x0606 USB 2.0 Hub / D-Link DUB-H4 USB 2.0 Hub
bcdDevice 7.02
iManufacturer 0
iProduct 1 USB2.0 Hub
iSerial 0
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 25
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0xe0
Self Powered
Remote Wakeup
MaxPower 100mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 9 Hub
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0 Full speed (or root) hub
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0001 1x 1 bytes
bInterval 255
Hub Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 41
nNbrPorts 4
wHubCharacteristic 0x00e9
Per-port power switching
Per-port overcurrent protection
Port indicators
bPwrOn2PwrGood 50 * 2 milli seconds
bHubContrCurrent 100 milli Ampere
DeviceRemovable 0x00
PortPwrCtrlMask 0xff
Hub Port Status:
Port 1: 0000.0103 power enable connect
Port 2: 0000.0100 power
Port 3: 0000.0100 power
Port 4: 0000.0103 power enable connect
Device Qualifier (for other device speed):
bLength 10
bDescriptorType 6
bcdUSB 2.00
bDeviceClass 9 Hub
bDeviceSubClass 0 Unused
bDeviceProtocol 1 Single TT
bMaxPacketSize0 64
bNumConfigurations 1
Device Status: 0x0001
Self Powered

Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Device Descriptor:
bLength 18
bDescriptorType 1
bcdUSB 1.10
bDeviceClass 9 Hub
bDeviceSubClass 0 Unused
bDeviceProtocol 0 Full speed (or root) hub
bMaxPacketSize0 64
idVendor 0x1d6b Linux Foundation
idProduct 0x0001 1.1 root hub
bcdDevice 2.06
iManufacturer 3 Linux 2.6.26-2-686 ohci_hcd
iProduct 2 OHCI Host Controller
iSerial 1 0000:00:02.2
bNumConfigurations 1
Configuration Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 2
wTotalLength 25
bNumInterfaces 1
bConfigurationValue 1
iConfiguration 0
bmAttributes 0xe0
Self Powered
Remote Wakeup
MaxPower 0mA
Interface Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 4
bInterfaceNumber 0
bAlternateSetting 0
bNumEndpoints 1
bInterfaceClass 9 Hub
bInterfaceSubClass 0 Unused
bInterfaceProtocol 0 Full speed (or root) hub
iInterface 0
Endpoint Descriptor:
bLength 7
bDescriptorType 5
bEndpointAddress 0x81 EP 1 IN
bmAttributes 3
Transfer Type Interrupt
Synch Type None
Usage Type Data
wMaxPacketSize 0x0002 1x 2 bytes
bInterval 255
Hub Descriptor:
bLength 9
bDescriptorType 41
nNbrPorts 3
wHubCharacteristic 0x0002
No power switching (usb 1.0)
Ganged overcurrent protection
bPwrOn2PwrGood 1 * 2 milli seconds
bHubContrCurrent 0 milli Ampere
DeviceRemovable 0x00
PortPwrCtrlMask 0xff
Hub Port Status:
Port 1: 0000.0103 power enable connect
Port 2: 0000.0100 power
Port 3: 0000.0100 power
Device Status: 0x0003
Self Powered
Remote Wakeup Enabled

lsmod:
Module Size Used by
sd_mod 22200 0
isofs 28164 0
nls_base 6820 1 isofs
zlib_inflate 14144 1 isofs
sg 26964 2
sr_mod 13316 1
cdrom 30176 1 sr_mod
usb_storage 77024 4
ppdev 6500 0
lp 8164 0
cpufreq_powersave 1856 0
cpufreq_stats 3776 0
cpufreq_userspace 3172 0
cpufreq_ondemand 6476 0
cpufreq_conservative 5960 0
freq_table 4224 2 cpufreq_stats,cpufreq_ondemand
ipv6 235364 33
xt_tcpudp 2816 86
nf_conntrack_ipv4 12268 61
xt_state 2016 61
ipt_REJECT 2784 4
xt_limit 2180 6
ipt_LOG 5028 6
nf_conntrack_tftp 4180 0
nf_conntrack_ftp 6852 0
nf_conntrack 55540 4 nf_conntrack_ipv4,xt_state,nf_conntrack_tftp,nf_conntrack_ftp
iptable_filter 2624 1
ip_tables 10160 1 iptable_filter
x_tables 13284 6 xt_tcpudp,xt_state,ipt_REJECT,xt_limit,ipt_LOG,ip_tables
ext2 54504 1
mbcache 7108 1 ext2
fuse 42908 1
it87 17904 0
hwmon_vid 2720 1 it87
loop 12748 0
snd_cs4232 11380 0
snd_opl3_lib 9344 1 snd_cs4232
snd_hwdep 6212 1 snd_opl3_lib
snd_cs4231_lib 20512 1 snd_cs4232
snd_intel8x0 26268 2
snd_ac97_codec 88484 1 snd_intel8x0
snd_mpu401 6152 0
ac97_bus 1728 1 snd_ac97_codec
snd_pcm_oss 32832 0
ns558 3712 0
snd_mpu401_uart 6368 2 snd_cs4232,snd_mpu401
gameport 10700 2 ns558
snd_mixer_oss 12320 1 snd_pcm_oss
snd_pcm 62596 5 snd_cs4231_lib,snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_pcm_oss
parport_pc 22500 1
parport 30988 3 ppdev,lp,parport_pc
psmouse 32336 0
serio_raw 4740 0
snd_seq_dummy 2660 0
initio 14948 0
floppy 47748 0
pcspkr 2432 0
snd_seq_oss 24992 0
snd_seq_midi 5728 0
snd_rawmidi 18528 2 snd_mpu401_uart,snd_seq_midi
snd_seq_midi_event 6432 2 snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi
snd_seq 41456 6 snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_seq_midi_event
3c59x 35624 0
mii 4896 1 3c59x
snd_timer 17800 5 snd_opl3_lib,snd_cs4231_lib,snd_pcm,snd_seq
snd_seq_device 6380 6 snd_opl3_lib,snd_seq_dummy,snd_seq_oss,snd_seq_midi,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq
snd 45604 18 snd_cs4232,snd_opl3_lib,snd_hwdep,snd_cs4231_lib,snd_intel8x0,snd_ac97_codec,snd_mpu401,snd_pcm_oss, snd_mpu401_uart,snd_mixer_oss,snd_pcm,snd_seq_oss,snd_rawmidi,snd_seq,snd_timer,snd_seq_device
soundcore 6368 1 snd
snd_page_alloc 7816 3 snd_cs4231_lib,snd_intel8x0,snd_pcm
button 6096 0
ohci_hcd 18500 0
usbcore 118224 3 usb_storage,ohci_hcd
i2c_sis96x 4132 0
i2c_sis630 5644 0
i2c_core 19828 2 i2c_sis96x,i2c_sis630
shpchp 25528 0
pci_hotplug 23460 1 shpchp
sis_agp 6752 1
agpgart 28776 1 sis_agp
evdev 8000 4
reiserfs 189888 3
thermal 15228 0
processor 32544 1 thermal
fan 4164 0
thermal_sys 10856 3 thermal,processor,fan
ide_disk 10496 9
ide_pci_generic 3908 0 [permanent]
sis5513 6788 0 [permanent]
ide_core 96136 3 ide_disk,ide_pci_generic,sis5513
ata_generic 4676 0
libata 140416 1 ata_generic
scsi_mod 129324 6 sd_mod,sg,sr_mod,usb_storage,initio,libata
dock 8304 1 libata

The O/S is Lenny and the main board is a K7S6A (V1.)) with BIOS patches.

Due to cable length limitations, there is a 4 port "hub" between the main USB port and the USB DVD.

thanks in advance for any help, (dja.) "spirals"

Electro · 10-31-2009, 07:44 PM

USB in Linux has always been slow. It is slow because Linux is a server OS and not a desktop OS. This means a server OS does a lot of redundancy checks to make sure everything is stored in the proper place. A desktop OS does not do this or does not do it as often.

I suggest use the slowest write speed for optical mediums for better reliability. Speed is not good because speed relates to quick and dirty. Slow and steady wins the race.

The only way to fix the problem is scrape present USB and start fresh with a whole new perspective for USB.

Right now you could try the following to improve the performance.

http://www.linux-usb.org/FAQ.html#i5

Spirals · 11-02-2009, 03:47 PM

Hi, All my tests with this 20x DVD burner have been with the same version of Lenny, simply moving the drive from connection as IDE0/slave into this external "box" connected by USB so it is the same o/s. Thank you for your pointers, after installing lshw and reviewing (more slowly) the outputs of the other tools asked to post in the hardware intro notes and a bit more searching. I discovered that the IDE/USB interface board [ made by Genesys Logic Inc.] inside the Iomega "box" has a known flaw, packet size is limited to 64 (units unknown) [this showed up in lsusb -v o/p] causes this slow write problem. for anyone who searches this later. This is over and above any inherent problems from the design of the USB protocol. I am awaiting a (new) USB 2.0/IDE interface unit that is stated capable of continuous full 480 MB/sec transfer in "block mode". I hope this solves my problem, will report the outcome of my tests when it arrives. In the mean time thank you for you help and advice, regards,(dja.)

Spirals · 12-07-2009, 03:41 PM

The slow write speed problem is fixed. I bought in an ATA to USB 2 bridge and a NEC 4xUSB 2 port card and I can burn my 4.3 GB iso images in around 6 minutes with cdrecord which is great.
New Problem: If I try to start K3b it kills the device file entry in /dev for the usb device (/dev/scd0) for the USB 2 to ATA bridge, created when I plug it in. Any suggestion what I should test this time? (dja.)