SMB3 Multi Channel - Howto?

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Level 1

13 points

SMB3 Multi Channel - Howto?

I use a Synology RackStation with DMS 6.1 and have it attached to my switch with two gigabit lan cables.

I enabled SMB Multichannel on my NAS by adding the following line to the smb.conf file:

server multi channel support=yes

My MacBook Pro is equipped with a StarTech USB-C to Dual Gigabit Ethernet Adapter and another pair of lan cables is connected to my switch. Unfortunately I can't reach more than 1GBit/s and wonder if I have to edit something on my Mac to achieve this.

Hope to find some answers here and no, I'm not looking for info on how to enable LACP. Thanks.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016, 4 TBT3), macOS Sierra (10.12.3)

Posted on Mar 12, 2017 6:17 AM

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Answer 1

Skyynet Author

Level 1

13 points

Mar 12, 2017 1:33 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks. The lack of information from Apple is kinda frustrating. Microsoft implemented and documented SMB Multi Channel in Windows Server 2012 and clients do automatically use it from Windows 8 afaik.

I've been told in the Synology forums that SMB Multi Channel is independent from LACP Link Aggregation. I should be able to use LACP by simply setting up a new virtual connection within the network prefs. It just won't help me to increase the throughput on my client.

Let's see if there's someone out there with insights into this issue.

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

123,392 points

Mar 12, 2017 1:23 PM in response to Skyynet

Apple product teams do not participate here, so getting in-depth wisdom on macOS Sierra's ability to deal with the Synology RackStation SMB3 multi-channel support may be restricted to someone that has practical usage experience — if the macOS capability actually exists.

I have read your post, and entire threads at this site. I have also noted that your Startech USB-C (5ghz) to dual-Gigabit Ethernet adapter does not state support for 802.3ad (link aggregation) — and that may/may not present an issue for you. I also am not certain to what extent multi-homing could be of benefit, where you tell the Synology that you are presenting two different IP addresses from the Mac side, and then run the SMB3 to both addresses.

My understanding is that macOS Sierra will auto-detect SMB3, but as one reviews the associated SMB related man pages, there is no obvious, updated reference to multi-channel support (even in the nsmb.conf man page). Apple has rolled their own SMB support, and may be holding back on this multi-channel support until it matures.

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Answer 3

noise85

Level 1

4 points

Jul 12, 2017 7:38 AM in response to Skyynet

Hi all!

There is any news about SMB multichannel support for OS X?

Thank you!

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Answer 4

Aug 4, 2017 1:31 AM in response to noise85

I also have this question. Are there any useful resources out there someone can point us to?

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