1. Data is checked (i.e., checksum hash) in real-time to intelligently avoid uploading duplicate data. This means that files that you've previously uploaded will skip from being uploaded again and should be available almost instantly (only the time required to hash the file(s) is needed).  This hashing is labeled as "Checking files" during the upload process.  More info below.
  2. Data is compressed on-the-fly during uploads. This significantly improves upload times for certain filetypes (e.g. OBJ files). Keep in mind, this compression is lossless, meaning the integrity of the data remains intact, only the amount of data transmitted is reduced.  So, for example, uploading a 1 GB OBJ file will be about as fast as uploading a 100 MB OBJ file.
  3. Nira divides files into smaller chunks to optimize network upload bandwidth, ensuring every bit of your internet bandwidth is used for the upload.  As a result, your internet may become saturated, leading to a reduced internet experience of other browser tabs until the upload is complete.  It's best to avoid viewing assets on Nira while also uploading an asset.

How does this work?

As you upload files, Nira will calculate a checksum for each one, indicated by the Checking files status message.  The Nira server repeats this process to verify that the files’ integrity remains intact after they are received.  Additionally, Nira will skip uploading files that have been previously uploaded, based on a matched checksum, to save time.  For large asset uploads — whether involving thousands of files or very large files — the "Checking files" step can take a considerable amount of time, potentially lasting several hours.  For the best performance, we recommend uploading from your fastest storage device, like an NVMe or SSD.  It’s advisable to avoid uploading from a network or hard drive.  If your files are stored on a network drive or hard drive, we suggest temporarily copying them to a folder on your fastest storage device before starting the upload.

To verify that Nira is still in the "Checking files" phase, you can monitor drive activity through Windows Task Manager or a similar tool on macOS, Linux, or Chromebook. During this stage, no files are uploaded, but you should see some activity on the drive where your files are stored. The actual upload process only begins once each file’s checksum has been calculated. It's essential not to move or modify any files during this time, as doing so will cause the upload to fail. Even with a slow internet connection, it’s still recommended to upload from your fastest storage device, since the upload can not begin until the checksum hashing has completed.

Does Nira throttle uploads?

If you are on an Individual or Professional plan, Nira may throttle your uploads or processing when processing servers are under heavy use.  Enterprise plans, however, have the highest priority and do not experience throttling for uploads or processing.

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