WDTV is probably 100 mbps/half duplex.
This is a long way down from gigabit, full duplex.
Another point is disk caching.
I wrote a disk benchmark program that shows the steady state transfer rate does not settle down until 4gb or more is transferred.
Less than 4gb varies wildly, as you noted, due to caching.
The test method is loading a memory buffer of random data, then creating and writing a file on the device under test.
The memory buffer eliminates any disk-reads and delays for the testing program.
The device under test is written at the maximum rate it can accept data.
The buffer-write method shows you the highest possible data rate the target device can receive.
Note this is different than a file copy, which will be slower due to source disk reads.
Everything slows down to the speed of the slowest component.
Using a crossover cable removes and store-and-forward latency in network switches.
I have not tested this, but my gut suspicion is a crossover cable won't buy you any noticeable improvement.
This is a long way down from gigabit, full duplex.
Another point is disk caching.
I wrote a disk benchmark program that shows the steady state transfer rate does not settle down until 4gb or more is transferred.
Less than 4gb varies wildly, as you noted, due to caching.
The test method is loading a memory buffer of random data, then creating and writing a file on the device under test.
The memory buffer eliminates any disk-reads and delays for the testing program.
The device under test is written at the maximum rate it can accept data.
The buffer-write method shows you the highest possible data rate the target device can receive.
Note this is different than a file copy, which will be slower due to source disk reads.
Everything slows down to the speed of the slowest component.
Using a crossover cable removes and store-and-forward latency in network switches.
I have not tested this, but my gut suspicion is a crossover cable won't buy you any noticeable improvement.
