Sunxi devices as NAS

Since especially the A20 with both SATA and Gbit capable GMAC Ethernet is an interesting platform for NAS useage I wanted to create an article outlining the following stuff in detail:


 * Weighting different features against each other: I/O and network bandwidth vs. CPU performance and core count
 * comparing different Allwinner SoCs regarding their features (Ethernet speed, count and limitations of 'storage ports' like USB or SATA)
 * quick comparison with other popular ARM based and SATA capable SoCs regarding I/O bandwidth, network and overall performance: i.MX6 and Marvell Kirkwood/Armada
 * necessary cpufreq settings for good NAS performance
 * general limitations (eg. SATA write limitation, network throughput, USB2)
 * in-depth explanation how Ethernet works on sunxi devices (GMAC + external PHY on A20 for example)
 * External prerequisits responsible for NAS performance (eg. GMAC TX DELAY settings, PCB crosstalk, inapproriate network settings, driver limitations -- eg. non-DMA SATA and b53 limitations on Lamobo R1 -- and so on)
 * Status quo regarding port multipliers, potential RAID issues
 * thermal issues: High performance settings lead to potential overheating
 * collection of different Gbit Ethernet performance settings from various boards (they differ for whatever reasons)

But since I don't know whether this stuff that focuses more on the 'application layer' and higher levels is welcome in this wiki I thought I ask first. &rarr; see: page discussion