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Strange SMB behavior

TedWobber
Community Member

‎12-22-2023 05:42 AM

I have a Gen1 Google Wifi mesh (3 units).  It has generally worked well.  I run a SMB server on a Raspberry Pi hardwired to a mesh unit.  It serves music to a collection of SONOS units (connected via WiFi).

The problem I am having is that when the Pi is connected to a non-principal mesh unit, it can sometimes take upwards of 45 seconds to successfully start supplying music via SMB.  The SONOS times out, of course.  But eventually the SMB connection succeeds and all is well.  It stays this way at least for the course of a music session.

I can reproduce this behavior when connecting to the Pi using SMB on my Windows PC, but the delay is shorter.

Connecting to the Pi using HTTP or SSH from my computer (on wifi) never fails.

Here's the kicker.  If I move the Pi to the primary mesh unit (which is logically closer to the SONOS boxes), it never fails in this way.

Any ideas about what's happening.  (I may have to buy a USB Ethernet adapter so I can snoop the Ethernet at the Pi.  Have not done so yet.)

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Dan_A
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

‎01-31-2024 05:05 PM

Hi TedWobber,

 

That certainly isn’t the experience we want you to have, and we apologize for the delay. A few questions: are you using a modem/router combo from your Internet service provider (ISP)? Which Google/Nest router are we working with? What device are you using to set up your network (iOS or Android)? Do you have the Internet on your modem?

 

It sounds like you're facing an interesting connectivity issue with your Google Wifi mesh system and your Raspberry Pi-based SMB server. While relocating the Pi to the primary mesh unit solves the problem, understanding the cause can help prevent future issues or optimize your setup further. Here are some potential explanations and steps you can take:

 

Possible Causes:

  • Multicast Routing: SMB uses multicast traffic for service discovery, and there might be inefficiencies in multicast routing across non-primary mesh units. This could explain the longer delays you experience.
  • Mesh Backhaul Congestion: If many devices are using the non-primary mesh unit for internet access, the backhaul connection between units might be congested, further delaying SMB traffic.
  • Device Compatibility: While unlikely, there could be compatibility issues between the Pi and non-primary mesh units that affect SMB specifically.

 

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Wire the Pi to the Primary Mesh Unit: As you already noted, connecting the Pi directly to the primary mesh unit via Ethernet eliminates the issue. This confirms that the wireless connection or mesh handoff might be the culprit.
  2. Experiment with Mesh Placement: Try repositioning your mesh units to create a stronger and more direct connection between the non-primary unit and the Pi. This could improve multicast routing and reduce congestion.
  3. Enable "Prefer 5GHz Band" for Pi: In the Google Home app, check if you can force the Pi to connect to the 5GHz band on the mesh units. 5GHz offers higher speeds and less interference compared to 2.4GHz, potentially improving SMB performance.
  4. Disable Guest Network: If you have a guest network enabled, temporarily disable it to see if it interferes with multicast traffic.
  5. Check for Firmware Updates: Ensure all your Google Wifi units and the Pi have the latest firmware updates.
  6. Monitor Network Traffic: If you have advanced networking skills, consider using tools to monitor network traffic and identify any anomalies occurring around the time of SMB connection delays.

 

Additional Tips:

  • Consider Mesh System Upgrade: If the issue persists and significantly impacts your workflow, upgrading to a newer mesh system with better multicast handling and backhaul capacity might be worth considering.
  • Explore Alternative SMB Solutions: Depending on your setup and needs, you might explore alternative ways to share music with your SONOS system, like using DLNA or a dedicated media server solution.

 

By trying these steps and considering the potential causes, you should be able to identify the reason behind the SMB connection delays and optimize your network setup for a smoother experience. If you need further assistance, don't hesitate to provide more details about your network configuration and any additional troubleshooting attempts you've made.

 

Best,

Dan

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