VAST Cluster supports SMB3 Multi-Channel, which provides increased network performance for high-throughput streaming workflows. Using SMB3 Multi-Channel, Windows clients can set up multiple network connections to a single VIP.
A single channel SMB connection uses a single TCP connection with a bandwidth of around 2 GB/s. Multi-channel operation increases the performance to around 8 GB/s.
The feature is enabled by default and doesn't require any configuration on the cluster.
Follow the instructions below to use this feature on a Windows client.
Client System Requirements
Windows
One or more network interface cards that support Receive Side Scaling (RSS).
Minimum throughput of 100 MB on all components of the connection between the client and the cluster, including all NICs, cables, switch ports and so on.
How to Configure the Client for a Multipath Connection
Configure SMB client settings on the Windows host to use multiple connections:
Run the Windows Powershell application in administrator mode.
Display the current configuration by running
get-SmbClientConfiguration. For example:.png?sv=2022-11-02&spr=https&st=2026-02-09T09%3A50%3A16Z&se=2026-02-09T10%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=fRDI0kd7sQ2xLFVKPPR11p8853ovlWsvlHzBBAkeAeU%3D)
Run
set-SmbClientConfigurationto change the following parameters as needed so that they are set as follows:EnableMultiChannel. Must beTrue.ConnectionCountPerRssNetworkInterface. Set to 8 or more. No performance benefit was found by setting the value higher than 8.EnableSecuritySignature. Must beFalse.
For example:
.png?sv=2022-11-02&spr=https&st=2026-02-09T09%3A50%3A16Z&se=2026-02-09T10%3A01%3A16Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=fRDI0kd7sQ2xLFVKPPR11p8853ovlWsvlHzBBAkeAeU%3D)
If you have an existing SMB connection to the cluster for the same application that you want to run over multichannel, remove the connection.
Create a new SMB connection to the desired view on the VAST Cluster.