4 FCP stations working off the same storage?

[John Christie]

Xsan is the way to go. I don’t know why you say you need 3 servers. You only need one computer to act as the metadata controller. In my case I use an older G4 dual 800 computer as my controller, it just sits in the rack, doing nothing but running the Xsan and it works well. You can use one of your edit systems to function as a controller, but that’s not recommended anymore. In my facility, I have one of the edit system G5s set to be the backup controller in case there’s a problem with the main controller. It’s an expensive system buy into, but once you’re there, it runs beautifully.

Cheers

John Christie

[Kevin Monahan]

There’s no cheap way to share media – ‘fraid to say.
It’s a SAN solution and a RAID or just forget about doing it.

Kevin Monahan
Take My FCP Master’s Workshop!
fcpworld.com

[Mike Johnson]

I just had a look at the layout at:
https://www.apple.com/xsan/videoworkflow.html

And it list alot of Xservers!

So for minimum requirements to make this work I will need:
1 XRAID
1 metadata controller – I could use a old G4 for this, And add one extra spare G4 for backup controller – have a few of those.
1 fibre channel switch
4 fibre cards

That doesnt sound so bad!

[John Christie]

Make that 5 fibre cards, one for your controller as well. You don’t need a spare G4 as a backup controller. You can use any of your edit systems as a backup controller. If you have a stand alone backup controller, it will also need a fibre channel card and an Xsan license. Apple also recommmends a dedicated ethernet network, separate from your regular network to reduce data bottlenecks.

Head on over to the Xsan site and post your requirements there. There are a few dealers who I’m sure will respond to your questions.

Cheers

John Christie

[Peter Wiggins]

Also check out SanMP, which is volume based so you have to unmount/remount to see new files or
MetaSan which is file based.

Both systems do not need a dedicated metadata controller so the most expensive thing is going to be the FCS.

Peter

Free Motion Templates

https://www.peterwiggins.com

[Gary Adcock]

[Mike Johnson] “I’ve had a look at apple’s Xsan solution, but it seem abit pricey with one XRAID, 3 Xservers, a Fibre channel switch and 4 fibre cards just to put this in motion.”

Faclilis Terrablock. (https://www.facilistech.com)

Plug and Play Multiuser Fibre based storage solutions. Cross-platform, application independent, Certified for Avid and FCP and it does not take opening 12 apps to get it configured like Xsan.

over 340mgs a sec / raid 5 / hot spares — you still need the switch and the fibre cards however.

Join us at the NAB FCPUG SUPERMEET
Wed April 26th @ the RIO for details go to https://www.lafcpug.org/nab_2006.html

[Kevin Monahan]

[John Christie] “You don’t need a spare G4 as a backup controller. You can use any of your edit systems as a backup controller.”
I would rather have a dedicated backup metadata controller myself.

[John Christie] “Apple also recommmends a dedicated ethernet network, separate from your regular network to reduce data bottlenecks.”
I would consider this a must.

Kevin Monahan
Take My FCP Master’s Workshop!
fcpworld.com

[David Bogie]

Ah, cool new tool.
But go ahead, be brave, tell us what a system to meet Mike Johnson’s needs will cost him and, heck, while you’re at it, compare your system costs to what Apple wants for a similar package.

bogiesan

This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”