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Drobo hangs under heavy use
My Drobo v2 (connected via USB2) hangs under heavy use. This makes it unsuitable for backup applications, where a restore depends on sustained read stability. A number of users have reported this behavior on the Drobo Support forum over at drobospace.com (registered Drobo users only) in connection with the recent 1.2.4 firmware update.
At present I need to restore my system from a Time Machine backup, a process that requires about 2 hours of sustained reading from the Drobo volume. I am currently on my fifth attempt, after the restore process has hung at random points on my four attempts so far. Fingers crossed I will eventually get lucky and be able to complete the restore.
Based on this experience, I must warn against using the Drobo as a backup device.
At present I need to restore my system from a Time Machine backup, a process that requires about 2 hours of sustained reading from the Drobo volume. I am currently on my fifth attempt, after the restore process has hung at random points on my four attempts so far. Fingers crossed I will eventually get lucky and be able to complete the restore.
Based on this experience, I must warn against using the Drobo as a backup device.
I’m disappointed
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Inappropriate?Data Robotics support have finally gotten back to me on this issue:
Dear Kevin,
Thank you for your continued patience. We see a couple of things here;
- this looks like an issue we have seen under certain circumstances on a Mac when connected via USB. The resolution to this problem will come in the form of updated firmware for Drobo. This will be available within the next couple of weeks
- we would also like to send you an updated power supply. I am sending this out to you today.
I will go ahead and close this case. Let me know if this problem if not resolved after the v1.3 firmware update.
I’m pleased with the outcome, but it did take awhile...
I’m indifferent
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Inappropriate?I spoke with DataRobotics today about this very same issue. We installed an updated firmware (1.3.1) in an attempt to address this issue. This is a known issue and DataRobotics stated that the issue isn't affecting just the Drobo, but all USB devices on OS X 10.5.7 when connecting via USB 2.
Unfortunately, the updated firmware did not resolve the issue (the friendly and helpful tech support person said it probably wouldn't). I have ordered a Firewire 800 to 400 adapter to connect my Mac Mini to the Drobo since Firewire connections seem to be unaffected by this issue.
My call to DataRobotics was excellent and although the issue is still a problem, I have a better understanding of what is going on and a clear strategy for dealing with it until a fix is found.
The tech support person stated that connections via DroboShare are not affected, but my issues first started while using my DroboShare so I am not sure.
I hope that others will benefit from this information. The Drobo is a useful and easy to use storage device IF you transfer data to/from the Drobo in small chunks if you are connecting via USB. This does cripple the device pretty significantly. I hope the Firewire connection resolves the issue for me.
Dave
I’m disappointed.
