bug: Python protocol script launches via SSH on the machine loading excessive time.

[J-Burgess]

Overview

Hi, recently updated to firmware version 8.2.0 on our OT Flex and have noticed a considerable increase in execution times for the python protocol scripts we have saved on the machine under /data. Launching via terminal after an SSH connection used to be within 10-20 seconds but now takes well over 50 seconds.

It is quite a compounding problem as we would like to execute protocols with conditional arguments via an external python manager which issues commands via paramiko SSH client. However, the delay in execution times is leading to a lot of idle time as the plates are ready for processing but sit on the deck. Not ideal for us as time is critical from incubation of plates to processing and we would like to minimise time plates are exposed outside incubator conditions.

I have tested both with paramiko and by SSHing directly onto the flex as root but both methods take a similar long time to execute protocols which is what leads me to believe something changed with the latest firmware update.

Thanks,
James

Steps to reproduce

Execute any protocol via SSH or paramiko from the root account on the OT flex.

E.g python3 /data/protocols/test.py

Current behavior

We do not have exact timings or the old firmware on 7.3.1 but it was much closer to the region of 10-20 seconds for a protocol execution at the hardware level after issuing the command. Currently on 8.2 it is much closer to 50 seconds for hardware execution after python script is called.

Expected behavior

Should be much faster to execute at the hardware level after issuing a script command for a protocol.

Operating system

Linux

System and robot setup or anything else?

Firmware 8.2.0 and connecting as root on OT Flex via SSH or paramiko.