Storage setup freezes during heavy data operations
Storage setup freezes during heavy data operations
I have a custom setup, meaning non-standard components like an old hardware box used as a general-purpose file server, network server, and storage system. The specifications aren’t very high; it includes a Z77H2-A2X Deluxe Intel Core i5-2500 CPU at 3.30GHz, 10 GB RAM, and various controllers such as Gigabit Ethernet and SATA devices. There’s also Linux installed (Ubuntu 21.04) running on an older version. The system uses a large 120 GB SATA SSD with an Ubuntu installation that has been updated over the years. It handles routing, internet access, and storage through iptables, igmpproxy, and LVM volumes with xfs filesystems. Most drives are connected directly to the motherboard, with some on separate cards. The storage setup is complex, involving multiple volumes and RAID configurations.
The main issue is that the system freezes or stops working under heavy file transfers—especially large downloads exceeding 500MBit. After several gigabytes, it locks up completely. Streaming, gaming, and even using Steam links work fine. The server can handle network streaming without problems, but simultaneous operations cause instability.
Performance is generally acceptable, though the freezing at high loads is bothersome. I’ve checked all hardware and replaced some cables to see if that helps. I’m not ready to overhaul everything, like switching to ZFS or reinstalling, but I’m unsure how to fix this without more drastic changes. It’s frustrating because the system still functions well under normal use, but it struggles under stress.
It seems like you're dealing with a complex setup involving multiple SATA controllers and RAID configurations. Are there any verification steps in place to ensure everything is functioning correctly? It's possible some drives might be failing, so it's worth checking for consistency.
During the lockup, *top* displays the RAM usage and CPU activity. It may indicate high memory consumption or heavy processing tasks like decoding gzip.
I enjoy playing with luck, but honestly the system has been running smoothly for a while. There’s no important data missing that hasn’t been saved. I also perform regular checks on the drives, and they all show a healthy SMART status. LVM combined with md is quite typical now—something I used to rely on. When it comes to external tools, I can’t connect because the system is set up in a way that blocks me from running top commands. Maybe I could try htop on the console; there’s a chance it might reveal something useful.
The components appear to be functioning properly. I verified the memory and inspected the boards for any signs of swelling. Regarding LVM and the raid group, you're asking about how two separate raid arrays are integrated into an LVM pool. That’s the intended configuration.