What causes this rate to vary so much over time. I would think that, provided there are "tapes" to split, that it should be as high as possible. Something must throttle it, I know, but what?

Secondly, how much disk space is being used by the system, and is a lack of disk space the limit to creation rate? If so, that should be a good reason to modify something and minimize the various "waiting to" queue lengths. Is there a counter argument?

Nobody knows for sure. Lots of theories and observations expounded in NC. Likely, I/O contention when the results delete and purge delete daemons run. Look at the Haveland graphs for coincidence evidence.

---

Seti@Home classic workunits:20,676 CPU time:74,226 hours

A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association)