USB 3.0 External drive not transfering data at superspeed.

[TonyLudwick]

Good Morning,
I am having trouble getting our external USB 3.0 Drive to operate at superspeed. The box has the following specs:
ASRock 890FX Deluxe 5 Motherboard
AMD Athlon II X4 630 Processor 2800 MHz
10 Gig of Ram
Ubuntu 12.04 / Kernel 3.2.0-35-generic
Silverstone PCI Express USB 3.0 card wi NEC Chip
Vantec External Hard Drive cabinet - NexStar-HX4R capable of holding 4 sata drives. Currently only have one Seagate 3TB Drive inside it.

It takes 3 minutes and 24 seconds to copy a 3.7 GB file from the box to the external.

I takes only 42 seconds to copy that same file from another box running the same OS/Kernel using the same Silverstone PCI Express USB 3.0 card, but in a Dell precision T3400.

So the variable here seems to be the ASRock 890FX Deluxe 5 Motherboard and AMD Athlon II X4 630 Processor 2800 MHz. This system does transfer at correct speed using Windows/2008 Server. Is there something on the Mother board that governs USB 3.0 traffic even on a PCI express USB 3.0 card? I am trying to figure out if there is something on the motherboard that needs to be flashed with new firmware etc. What on the motherboard could be not cooperating with Ubuntu to cause this problem.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank You in advance.

Regards,
Tony

[synack]

Wow there could be soo many variables here. are all the correct kernel modules/drivers loaded for that USB3 card?
An add-in card would still require USB3 support enabled in the kernel regardless of it being an addin or not. The difference in speed is about the difference in USB 2 vs USB 3. Something tells me its the USB 3 support.

to save you some trouble I believe the USB3 module is xhci_hcd
if a "lsmod | grep xhci_hcd" returns nothing, run "modprobe xhci_hcd"

if that works, make sure that module is not commented out wherever that is configured in Ubuntu. (sorry, i'm a gentoo guy and I don't know off hand where Ubuntu keeps that stuff) Might be /etc/modules.conf or in the folder /etc/modprobe.d.. but those are guesses based on other distros lol/

lsusb should also give you some hints. for instance my usb hubs shows up as:
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub

If you dont have a 3 in there... you dont have usb 3 support installed.

Syn

[synack]

OH just thought of another thing to check.. maybe first...

run lspci -k

This will list all the PCI devices and their drivers if applicable. for instance my usb3 shows up as:

00:14.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation 7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family USB xHCI Host Controller (rev 04)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 1e31
Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd

[TonyLudwick]

Thank You so much for repying.

It seems to be seeing the USB 3.0 Controllers and using xhci_hcd for a driver. I have even tried disabling USB 2.0 support on the MB. This is just nuts! Is there anything else I could check?

lsmod | grep xhci_hcd got no output.
modprobe xhci_hcd got no output.

lsusb returned the following:

root@AntecNas1:/# lsusb
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 006 Device 002: ID 152d:0551 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron USA Technology Corp.


lspci -k retuned the following:

root@AntecNas1:/# lspci -k
00:00.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 Northbridge only single slot PCI-e GFX Hydra part (rev 02)
Subsystem: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 Northbridge only single slot PCI-e GFX Hydra part
00:02.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (PCI express gpp port B)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:04.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (PCI express gpp port D)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:05.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (PCI express gpp port E)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:06.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (PCI express gpp port F)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:09.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (PCI express gpp port H)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:0a.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (external gfx1 port A)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:0b.0 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI RD890 PCI to PCI bridge (NB-SB link)
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
Kernel modules: shpchp
00:11.0 SATA controller: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 SATA Controller [AHCI mode] (rev 40)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 4391
Kernel driver in use: ahci
00:14.0 SMBus: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI SBx00 SMBus Controller (rev 42)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 4385
Kernel driver in use: piix4_smbus
Kernel modules: sp5100_tco, i2c-piix4
00:14.2 Audio device: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI SBx00 Azalia (Intel HDA) (rev 40)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 2892
Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
Kernel modules: snd-hda-intel
00:14.3 ISA bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI SB7x0/SB8x0/SB9x0 LPC host controller (rev 40)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 439d
00:14.4 PCI bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI SBx00 PCI to PCI Bridge (rev 40)
00:18.0 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Family 10h Processor HyperTransport Configuration
00:18.1 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Family 10h Processor Address Map
00:18.2 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Family 10h Processor DRAM Controller
Kernel modules: amd64_edac_mod
00:18.3 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Family 10h Processor Miscellaneous Control
Kernel driver in use: k10temp
Kernel modules: k10temp
00:18.4 Host bridge: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] Family 10h Processor Link Control
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: NVIDIA Corporation GT218 [GeForce 8400 GS] (rev a2)
Subsystem: eVga.com. Corp. Device 1300
Kernel driver in use: nouveau
Kernel modules: nouveau, nvidiafb
01:00.1 Audio device: NVIDIA Corporation High Definition Audio Controller (rev a1)
Subsystem: eVga.com. Corp. Device 1300
Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
Kernel modules: snd-hda-intel
02:00.0 SATA controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88SE9120 SATA 6Gb/s Controller (rev 12)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 9120
Kernel driver in use: ahci
03:00.0 USB controller: NEC Corporation uPD720200 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 0194
Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd
04:00.0 USB controller: NEC Corporation uPD720200 USB 3.0 Host Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 0194
Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd
05:00.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6315 Series Firewire Controller
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 3403
Kernel driver in use: firewire_ohci
Kernel modules: firewire-ohci
05:00.1 IDE interface: VIA Technologies, Inc. VT6415 PATA IDE Host Controller (rev a0)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Device 0415
Kernel driver in use: pata_via
Kernel modules: pata_via
06:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168B PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet controller (rev 06)
Subsystem: ASRock Incorporation Motherboard (one of many)
Kernel driver in use: r8169
Kernel modules: r8169
07:00.0 USB controller: Renesas Technology Corp. Device 0014 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Renesas Technology Corp. Device 0014
Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd
08:05.0 Ethernet controller: Broadcom Corporation NetXtreme BCM5700 Gigabit Ethernet (rev 12)
Subsystem: 3Com Corporation 3C996-T 1000Base-T
Kernel driver in use: tg3
Kernel modules: tg3

[synack]

Hmm you mention it is a NEC chipset, but the add-on USB controller seems to be the Renesas Tech Corp (pci device 7). I assume the jmicron is the ata/sata device in question on usb bus 6?

can you post the verbose output of usb bus 6?:
lsusb -v -s 6

And also the verbose output of PCI device 7?
lspci -v -s 07:00

and the kernel boot log for the PCI device 7?

dmesg | grep 07:00

and finally the kernel's usb device detection

dmesg | grep "usb "
UPDATE (note there is an intentional space between b and the quote)

Syn

[synack]

DOH! i just read that you said modprobe xhci_hcd got no output... that is GOOD. error is bad or "already loaded" is bad.

if you rerun lsmod | grep "xhci_hcd" it should now have output

recheck your speed

[synack]

As a side note, I see you are using the open source nouveau driver for your nvidia card. May I suggest you install the proprietary nvidia driver? (which should be easily available via the ubuntu package manager)

I run the current nvidia supplied linux driver and the OpenGL on it rivals directx 11. This depends on the application supporting OpenGL of course. I run windows games under wine (which still only supports dx9) and get AMAZING performance. For example, I run Lord of the Rings Online with my gtx 680 at 1920x1200 full screen and "very high" graphics settings with always more than 30 fps, and very smooth. I can also get around 30 fps at "ultra high" graphics settings with the occasional stutter.

I have nothing against the Open Source driver, and commend those guys for even making it. But the nvidia driver is just that much better I'll ignore that fact it's closed source. (and technically "taints" the kernel)

[TonyLudwick]

lsmod | grep "xhci_hcd still has no output. Also, I do believe that the Renesas Technology Corp USB 3.0 controller is the one that is on the MB. I get the same speed from both. Thanks for the tip on the NVidia Driver. I prefer it as well for my desktop. This machine however, doesn't have a desktop installed. We are using it as a high performance NAS.


root@AntecNas1:/# lsusb -v -s 6 - No output.

root@AntecNas1:/# lspci -v -s 07:00
07:00.0 USB controller: Renesas Technology Corp. Device 0014 (rev 03) (prog-if 30 [XHCI])
Subsystem: Renesas Technology Corp. Device 0014
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 32
Memory at fe200000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=8K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 3
Capabilities: [70] MSI: Enable- Count=1/8 Maskable- 64bit+
Capabilities: [90] MSI-X: Enable+ Count=8 Masked-
Capabilities: [a0] Express Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting
Capabilities: [150] Latency Tolerance Reporting
Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd

root@AntecNas1:/# dmesg | grep 07:00
[ 0.456124] pci 0000:07:00.0: [1912:0014] type 0 class 0x000c03
[ 0.456148] pci 0000:07:00.0: reg 10: [mem 0xfe200000-0xfe201fff 64bit]
[ 0.456269] pci 0000:07:00.0: PME# supported from D0 D3hot D3cold
[ 0.456274] pci 0000:07:00.0: PME# disabled
[ 0.497006] pci 0000:07:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 32 (level, low) -> IRQ 32
[ 0.497036] pci 0000:07:00.0: PCI INT A disabled
[ 0.848104] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: PCI INT A -> GSI 32 (level, low) -> IRQ 32
[ 0.848134] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: setting latency timer to 64
[ 0.848138] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: xHCI Host Controller
[ 0.848232] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 5
[ 1.129608] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: irq 32, io mem 0xfe200000
[ 1.129648] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: irq 83 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 1.129652] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: irq 84 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 1.129657] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: irq 85 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 1.129661] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: irq 86 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 1.129664] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: irq 87 for MSI/MSI-X
[ 1.129938] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: xHCI Host Controller
[ 1.130001] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 6

root@AntecNas1:/# dmesg | grep "usb "
[ 1.444953] usb 6-4: new SuperSpeed USB device number 2 using xhci_hcd

[synack]

Ok this is what I see:

PCI device 07:00

07:00.0 USB controller: Renesas Technology Corp. Device 0014 (rev 03)
Subsystem: Renesas Technology Corp. Device 0014
Kernel driver in use: xhci_hcd

is USB BUS 6

[ 1.130001] xhci_hcd 0000:07:00.0: new USB bus registered, assigned bus number 6

And the external drive is on bus 6 device 2

Bus 006 Device 002: ID 152d:0551 JMicron Technology Corp. / JMicron USA Technology Corp.

and that drive is detected as USB 3

[ 1.444953] usb 6-4: new SuperSpeed USB device number 2 using xhci_hcd

The has to be another issue going on here.
Possibly there is some compatibility issue with the distribution of devices. Can you please try one of the motherboards built in USB3 ports to see if that helps?

[synack]

btw, oops sorry about the lsusb...
it should have read:
lsusb -v -s 6:

but I don't think its necessary anymore.