D4-300 arbitrarily very slow

[marmic]

Hey all.

I bought a D4-300 a few days back and utilising it with 2 NTFS formated Seagate IronWolf 12TB to extend my Synology 423+ NAS.
While it's performing great most of the time (220-245 MB/s write to one IronWolf 12TB), it arbitrarily drops to a max of 25-30MB/s or worst and stays there after a few hours of service.

If happens, it won't come back to speed and takes up to 5 minutes each to properly eject the single drives.
And even though, I need to completely power of the D4-300 to get back full performance. If I just eject and re-allocate the drives I'll get 5MB/s max speed, what's even worst.

This happens on my NAS as well as on a Win 10 and Win 11 PC, so it looks like the D4-300 is creating the issue.

Is there anythin I can do or should I consider defective hardware and get back to my dealer?

Cheers,
marmic

[marmic]

omfg... just found the issue...

the fans of the D4-300 aren't working anymore, so my drives are getting hot and throttle down.... Hope my drives haven't gotten damaged by this

[TMzethar]

1. Please follow the Quick Installation Guide again and initialize it on Windows and use it for a while. During this time observe if it appears the same.
If it doesn't happen on Windows, it means that the problem is not coming from the device.
2. Prioritize the use of the original cable. Try a different usb port.
3. If the problem persists after the above troubleshooting, please apply for after-sales service.

[marmic]

As I already wrote in my first Post:
The Fans stop working on my NAS, on a Windows 10 and on a Windows 11 Computer.

For now, I'd say the fans stop once all HDDs are in hibernation. But even if all HDDs are wake up, the fans keep shut off.
I think I'll have to send it back for exchange.

Thank you

[TMzethar]

This will help you stop the fan from stopping.
viewtopic.php?t=3840

[marmic]

So your suggestion is, while I'm using the device as a NAS extension, to get rid of hibernation and let the Drives on power 24/7 without hibernation?

That's a workaround but not a solution of the initial issue.
You do advertise energy saving through hibernation, if that doesn't work I have to consider returning instead of exchanging the unit and look for another device.

Is there a way to make the fans "always on" even while hibernating?
It's way better having the fans always running then fried hard drives.

[TMzethar]

Sorry to find out that you are using a NAS system.
Maybe you can control it by adjusting your NAS system.

[marmic]

That's the thing, it's not a "NAS only" issue.

Synology NAS: hibernates the drives inside the D4-300 as intended. If all drives are hibernated, the D4 powers the fans off.
Windows 11 PC: hibernates the drives inside the D4-300 as intended. If all drives are hibernated, the D4 powers the fans off.
Windows 10 Laptop: hibernates the drives inside the D4-300 as intended. If all drives are hibernated, the D4 powers the fans off.

Synology NAS: wakes a drive inside the D4-300 as soon as access is requested. D4-300 doesn't start the fans.
Windows 11 PC: wakes a drive inside the D4-300 as soon as access is requested. D4-300 doesn't start the fans.
Windows 10 Laptop: wakes a drive inside the D4-300 as soon as access is requested. D4-300 doesn't start the fans.

Imho there is something wrong with the configuration/ firmware of the device.
I'll do some testing over the weekend. If I don't get the hibernation working properly, that device is not for me then.

I really like everything else about it; Performance is great, I like the design, built quality is decent and it's very quite, but I won't waste 50-80€ annual on my power delivery bill.

If I find a solution, I'll keep you posted.

[Gremlin]

D4-300 doesn't start the fans.
D4-300 doesn't start the fans.
D4-300 doesn't start the fans.

but I won't waste 50-80€ annual on my power delivery bill.

Your logic may be a bit flawed
But, I won't disagree about a flaw. I think something similar happens with some Nas sometimes. My suspicion is that the firmware/software is working with pwm, but the 'start' values being used are insufficient to actually start the fan(s) being employed. I have seen this when using 'auto' mode for the fan(s) and the fan just will not restart after dropping to zero rpm. If not noticed, it can lead to overheat conditions (cpu and/or hdd). Shame it is made difficult to change the fans. (not that that would solve the immediate problem).

[marmic]

D4-300 doesn't start the fans.
D4-300 doesn't start the fans.
D4-300 doesn't start the fans.

but I won't waste 50-80€ annual on my power delivery bill.

Your logic may be a bit flawed

Why should my logic doesn't match here? If any HDD wakes up, the D4 should immediatly turn on the fans.
Every other device I own does it this way, no matter if 1 or 2 bays.
And if the HDDs run 24/7 without hibernation it raises the total amount on my power bill, so it's a waste of money

But, I won't disagree about a flaw. I think something similar happens with some Nas sometimes. My suspicion is that the firmware/software is working with pwm, but the 'start' values being used are insufficient to actually start the fan(s) being employed. I have seen this when using 'auto' mode for the fan(s) and the fan just will not restart after dropping to zero rpm. If not noticed, it can lead to overheat conditions (cpu and/or hdd). Shame it is made difficult to change the fans. (not that that would solve the immediate problem).

Changing fans shouldn't be that hard. If you take a detailed view from the inside, it's just removing the back panel.
Only thing would be the connectors (no default fan plugs) and the voided warranty.

I'm actually thinking about powering the Fans with the second USB of my NAS. USB to 2Pin adapter, go through one of the holes in the bottom and plug in the Fans... I think I do not need to open the device at all to get this done.
Fans would be always on but the HDDs are enabled to hibernate without overheating after wake up.

But first I have to consider if I really keep it... I want to because I like it, but I need to think this through.