Another SAN advice needed

[Bob Zelin]

Replies to your questions below, but the overview answer is that if you are not familiary with this equipment, and are trying to “build it yourself”, then forget this idea, because you will fail.

ATTO does sell the Faststream in turnkey configurations, and they are supported by DEALERS that sell this – for example, Sonnet Technology uses the ATTO Faststream for connection to 4 clients with their fibre array, and they recommend MetaSAN software. JMR also sells a fantastic, INCREDIBLY FAST array with the ATTO Faststream, and they recommend Command Soft Fibre Jet (but this can be used with MetaSAN as well). SO, who is going to guarantee that this is all going to work – YOUR DEALER WILL.

If all of this makes you too nervous, then buy the Facilis solution (which is a great company), because they will take care of you directly.

NOW, I will answer your questions below –

1. Given the options above, which configuration is better, in terms of
available bandwidth, stability, flexibility, data security and
compatibility with our machines?

REPLY – they are both excellent solutions. Without professional support (not you trying to figure things out by yourself) – you will FAIL. Support is everything, you need someone to help you, no matter what you buy.

2. What are the advantages and disadvantages for both storage systems?

REPLY – the ATTO Faststream based solutions are limited to 4 clients without the addition of an addition fibre switch, but the advantage to the ATTO Faststream solution is that IT IS CHEAP, compared to the Facilis solution. The Facilis is a fully expandable system. Please bear in mind that if you only need 4 users, the wonderful JMR chassis (that has the ATTO Faststream built into it) can daisy chain via a built in PCI-e expander to another of their chassis. JMR is a great company.

3. What component in both SAN will be the bottleneck to look out for?

REPLY – the bottleneck with fast solutions is always the disk drives. I would try to sell you my 10 Gig ethernet solution right now, if you only needed 2 clients. But you want more than just 2 clients, and you want them to be running FAST, and you dont’ make clear HOW MANY SYSTEMS you will have – if you just had 3 systems – like the 2 MAC Smoke systems, and the MAC based Divinci Resolve, I would tell you to wait a few months, becauseI could do this cheap for you with new 10Gig stuff coming out, but it sounds like you have a LOT more systems to plug into this, besides the 3 workstations.

If you reply back with your TOTAL requirements, I can advise you better.

4. How do we increase bandwidth and our upgrade path in the future?

REPLY – you don’t. You can add more clients to the Facilis (you give them more money), or you can add a switch to the ATTO Faststream, but this system is ideal for 4 users, nor more than that. This ssystem is NOT ideal for a larger facility, that should be using a QLogic SANbox for distribution. The only reason I can assume you are looking at the Faststream is becuase this system COSTS LESS MONEY than the facilis. Will it work for your 3 systems (and grow to a 4th system) – absolutely. Will it operate as well with 10 clients – absolutely not.

So, what is the bottleneck – you are the bottleneck. You did not say “I am buying the JMR system”, or “I am buying the Sonnet system”. You said you are buying the ATTO Faststream, which gives me the impression that you are using an off the shelf drive array, that may only be running 600mb/sec. THIS DRIVE ARRAY WILL NOT SUPPORT ALL OF YOUR CLIENTS – not at uncompressed speeds.

so, are these all of your clients –
2 x Smoke (MAC)
1 x Resolve (Linux)
2 x FCP (OFFLINE)
1 x FCP (INGEST)
7 x VFX (MAYA, AE, NUKE)

Because if they are, you are NOT a small company. You are a mid sized company. For this number of clients, you will be unhappy with the Faststream. You have too many systems to connect, and you need a more powerful system. You have 12 clients, and want uncompressed video – this is a big powerful expensive system, and you are not going to cheap out for 30 grand, and get shared storage on all these systems for that much money for 30 grand, and not have problems. If you only said “I just have 2 MACs for Smoke, and the Resolve”- then yes, Faststream is perfect for you.

Bob Zelin

[Neil Insuya]

Thank you very much Bob for your reply. You made it very clear and your advice is very helpful.

Along with the storage upgrade we will have the following clients in total.

Fibre Clients
2 x Smoke (MAC) (HD 1080 Uncompressed)
1 x Resolve (Linux) (2K DPX, RED, ARRI D21)
2 x FCP (OFFLINE) (ProRes)
1 x FCP (INGEST)

Ethernet Clients
7 x VFX (MAYA, AE, NUKE)

So do you think 2 x 24D Facilis would cut it for the clients above? Does it matter if get a 8Gbit over a 4Gbit configuration? ( an 8Gbit config has over 10K difference in price.)

Neil Insuya

[Bob Zelin]

your facility is so expensive ! You have a Linux Resolve and two Smokes. Facilis is a great choice, and 10 grand to get double the bandwidth is a very good value. Facilis uses ATTO 8 Gig fibre cards, which are terrific.

Bob Zelin