Fastest method to copy a file across network?

[louis n]

I work with databases and some of my backup files are 30-100 gigs in
size. I currently use the FastCopy utility to copy files from one
server to another. (This is needed when I need to transfer a DB to a
different server). FastCopy says its 30 to 50% faster than Windows
file copy. I read somewhere that the windows kernel defaults to
4mb/sec throughput for copying.

Is this true? Is there a faster way or some utility to copy files?
I'm aware of RoboCopy but the documentation didn't mention anything
about faster performance. All my servers are windows 2000 NTFS.
Thanks

[Ross Presser]

On 13 Dec 2004 12:16:50 -0800, louis n wrote:

I work with databases and some of my backup files are 30-100 gigs in
size. I currently use the FastCopy utility to copy files from one
server to another. (This is needed when I need to transfer a DB to a
different server). FastCopy says its 30 to 50% faster than Windows
file copy. I read somewhere that the windows kernel defaults to
4mb/sec throughput for copying.

Is this true? Is there a faster way or some utility to copy files?
I'm aware of RoboCopy but the documentation didn't mention anything
about faster performance. All my servers are windows 2000 NTFS.
Thanks

Very often in my experience, ftp or http is significantly faster than any
high-latency network filesystem protocol like Windows.

[Ryan]

I'd suggest looking at your network and not SQL as a starting point.
You may have the servers on seperate hubs with a shared 10mbps
connection when a dedicated 100mbps connection (possibly also the same
hub) would make a difference. It depends on the setup you have. It may
be a simple swap in your comms room for you. After these basic checks,
I'd then look to utilities to speed this up. At the end of the day,
it's the same bandwidth and same size of data so I can't see them being
vastly better unless using less intensive protocols (FTP may be quicker
for example).

louis n wrote:

I work with databases and some of my backup files are 30-100 gigs in
size. I currently use the FastCopy utility to copy files from one
server to another. (This is needed when I need to transfer a DB to a
different server). FastCopy says its 30 to 50% faster than Windows
file copy. I read somewhere that the windows kernel defaults to
4mb/sec throughput for copying.

Is this true? Is there a faster way or some utility to copy files?
I'm aware of RoboCopy but the documentation didn't mention anything
about faster performance. All my servers are windows 2000 NTFS.
Thanks

[louis]

Hi Ross,

I set up a FTP site at the destination server and sent a 40gig file.
It completed within 2 hours, and is dramatically faster than what I
experienced before. Thanks for the tip. I don't know why I didn't
think of it before. Maybe I was brainwashed by windows ;)