The files are being copied using command line parameters, but drag and drop in explorer garners about the same results Copy /b <filename_local> <location>
Reads are faster than writes but both are slower server<->filer than server<->server
I'm a little confused on the CIFS/SMB discussion. I assumed I was using SMB, but since it seems Windows CIFS/SMB are the same thing I don't know. Is there a way to find out for sure?
The Concept of "Native" CIFS (CIFS without Netbios overhead) was introduced in Windows 2000. Distinguishing characteristic is that it runs natively on TCP/IP over port 445 (IIRC) and does not ride on top of the legacy Netbios over TCP/IP layer (which encapsulated the SMB request in a Netbios packet which was then stuffed into a TCP/IP packet.)
What version of windows are you running? Windows 2000 or Windows 2003?
Regards, Max