-
FibreJet read/write access
We are thinking of purchasing the Fibrejet to hook 2 G5’s up to our Xserve Raid through a Qlogic switch. I just had a thought that might be bad. I’m looking through FibreJet’s manual and not seeing it yet, but i understand that only one system is able to get write access at a time. Is rendering, creating titles/graphics, copying files to and just basic editing considered writing? For some reason we were just thinking that digitizing video would be fine for having one person do at one time but wasn’t sure about the normal things you do while editing a spot.
I have been advised not to split the Xserve Raid into two seperate Raid5 channels since we are starting to do some HD spots and all the drives need to be populated and read across for optimum bandwidth in a Raid50.
Also, Floh had mentioned that we need a USB Dongle. What is that for exactly?
Is it just recommended that we have two XserveRaids, one for each mac? Is there another solution without purchasing another one and keeping the Raid as one volume?
Thx.
-
8 Replies
-
You need some sharing software.
We use Tiger Technology’s MetaSAN for example.Priit
-
Thanks for the recommendation. Is this used INSTEAD of FibreJet?
I was also curious as to my initial question if rendering, making titles, and basic editing and such is considered ‘writing’ to the drives.
If METAsan is used, does that mean that permissions won’t need to be set for the drives?
Keep in mind that our Xserve RAID is just being used to store each editor’s footage on one massive storage but they aren’t necessarily going to be using each others footage, in case that makes a difference.
FibreJet makes it seem like if one person is making graphics they have to get the write permission from the other editor. Basically they’d be switching permissions all day long which could become annoying. -
MetaSAN doesn’t replace your SAN.
It just manages what client can write at whitch disk cluster.
Usually two clients can’t write the same file at the same time.
With some software you can even start editing the material
at the same time when the capture of the same material on another
client is not yet finished. Just one example.The other way is that you divide your disk into several volumes
and only one client has write access to a volume.
But everyone can read every volume.
It is managed by giving every volume his own write rights.The first method has lot of benefits but you have to buy a
special software for every seat who wants write access. -
Thanks for the reply.
Just to clarify, you’re talking about making multiple volumes using disk utility and not using METAsan right? And the special software for the seats would be the METAsan software?
Also, we’re not concerned with multiple users using the same footage between the two. One user would use his footage and the other would use his own. I don’t necessarily need them to share the same footage.
So with two machines going to the Xserve RAID which is set up as a raid50, METAsan will allow them to both digitize their own footage at the same time? Or at least allow them to make graphics and renders for their own timelines but writing to the same drive without assigning permission and prevent file corruption?
-
Hi Justin,
Yes, MetaSAN will allow your two (or more) computers to read and write to the same volume at full speed. You will be able to capture, edit, render, etc. from both machines (as long as your storage is fast enough for what you are trying to do). This is called file-level sharing (as opposed to volume-level sharing offered by FibreJet).
Feel free to call if you would like to discuss your requirements.
Bernard Lamborelle
Tiger Technology
Tel: 514 667 2015
email: bernard at tiger-technology dot com -
To clarify one of the OP’s original questions:
FibreJet is used INSTEAD of Metasan. They are competing SAN management solutions.
Although my friends at the competition are technically correct about FibreJet being a volume level locking solution (as opposed to file level locking), they sometimes fail to mention that there are literally many thousands of volume level locking solutions (FibreJet and others) in use today for some of the biggest feature film studios, television networks and other media production and post production facilities.
In fact, it is unfortunate that this particular competitor almost seems to be implying you can not do the sort of collaborative work you intend on FibreJet.
Don’t buy into the FUD!
The reality is that volume level locking solutions like FibreJet tend to lend themselves quite well to the real world workflow required/desired by most of the editors with which we have worked. I don’t mean to claim there are never situations where file level locking may be a better fit. I am simply trying to clarify that we find those cases to be the exception rather than the rule.
If you would like references from CommandSoft from post shops that have first hand daily experience running the FibreJet volume level locking solution, we will be happy to assist.
Feel free to contact me any time.
Best Regards,
-Chuck McMakin
CommandSoft
Phone (805)730-7772
Email chuck@commandsoft.com -
Chuck
Can you tell me if fibrejet works in a windows environment on a Promise Fibre raid??? What is the list price on the product?
Thanks
-
Hi Shane.
I don’t have first hand experience with the Promise branded hardware. Since FibreJet is essentially “hardware agnostic”, I wouldn’t anticipate that you would have any problems. FibreJet is not in the I/O path at all so we tend to be compatible with just about any hardware you choose.
If you already have the rest of the infrastructure for your SAN (switch, HBAs, etc.) on site I’d be happy to work with you to get FibreJet demo licenses so that you could test FibreJet with your specific hardware configuration.
The MSRP of FibreJet is $995/seat plus $299/seat for the first year maintenance/support agreement.
Feel free to contact us any time if you have more questions!
Chuck McMakin
CommandSoft, Inc. /
Phone: (805)730-7772 /
Email: chuck@commandsoft.com
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up