Slow network access to WD MyCloud and NFS Sinology NAS from Mac OS X, solution

Many Mac OS X users observe excessively slow access when connecting via a local Ethernet network to a NAS or NFS file server, especially the brand Western Digital , like WD MyCloud, or for example Synology .

These servers are used to have external storage of personal files, such as photos and videos, thanks to their large size ranging from 2TB (Terabytes) to 16TB.

For Mac OS users, they are a good option to perform automatic backups with the feature. time Machine included in the operating system.

Slow network access

However, many WD MyCloud and Synology users see with frustration how much access through the SAMBA protocol to these NAS or NFS servers is extremely slow, resulting in errors or loss of TimeMachine backups.

Although the installation was successful and the Ethernet system of the local network has been verified (correct cables, switch and router in good working order…), access to the NAS external network drive from Mac is extremely slow.

Solution to the problem of accessing the NFS

This solution is only valid for secure networks, such as the local home network or the work network if you are behind a firewall.

It consists of disable the "packet signature" of the SAMBA protocol . In other words, once the computer has authenticated with a name and password to connect to a directory on the NAS, WD MyCloud, or Synology, the packets they exchange will not be "signed." Since we trust the connection established.

In this way, the negotiation of network packets will be much faster because they do not have to be checked one by one and they are transmitted directly. THE speed increase is spectacular once "packet signing" is disabled

Disable packet signing on the macOS client

The solution is simple and only requires knowing how to access the Mac's file system through the terminal to disable "packet signing" for SMB 2 and SMB 3 connections.

First check if your macOS computer has a file in /etc/nsmb.conf

If your macOS has a file in /etc/nsmb.conf

1. Open your /etc/nsmb.conf file to edit it
2. Change the value of the signature_required parameter to "no", so that:
   [by default]
   signature_required = no
3. Save the /etc/nsmb.conf file
4. Disconnect and reconnect (mount and unmount) any previously connected SMB drives for the changes to take effect.

If your macOS does NOT have a file in /etc/nsmb.conf

1. Open terminal
2. Use these commands to create an /etc/nsmb.conf file with the signature_required parameter set to "no", like this:
   sudo -s
   
   echo "[default]" >> /etc/nsmb.conf
   echo "signature_required = no">> /etc/nsmb.conf
   to leave
3. Disconnect and reconnect (mount and unmount) all previously connected SMB drives for the changes to take effect.

Tip for connecting drives in Mac OS

• Open Finder
• Go to the "Go" menu and select "Connect to server" (You can also directly press ? K)
• Choose a shared network folder on the NAS
• To disconnect them, click the "Eject" symbol when you select them in the Finder.

In this video, they show how to fix other issues with Mac OS X Sierra system: