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Looking for simple cost effective storage for small network – capture and encode
hey all,
I’m looking to setup some shared storage which can accomodate a few things…
1) Apple 10-bit uncompressed HD capture in FCP – 28MB/sec
2) Anystream Agility encoding from uncompressed D1 resolution AVI. (anystream recommends shooting for 80MB/sec per node)
3) Ability to add another encoding node when necessary (80MB/sec)total of appx 190MB/sec available over 2 or 3 machines (1 G5 and 2 windows machines)
Any recommendations on storage, cards, and hubs greatly appreciated.
thanks,
matthew klauschie
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5 Replies
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Matthew,
Your options are either a storage area network (SAN) or a network attached storage (NAS) device. We sell a NAS which might fit the bill. You can contact me at mhughes@max-t.com Regards,
Mike
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I would seriously consider the Terrablock by Facilis Techonology. Because it doesn’t need a separate metadata network, it is very simple to setup and administer. It can have either 4Gb or 2Gb Fibre Channel clients, with three server versions from 2Tb to 9.6Tb. With the new software version it can access two Terrabock units at once, accessing 19Tb. Also, there are NO client licenses – just add another FC card and you’re online.
https://facilis.net/products.htm
All this speed is not for free – clients can read the same volume simultaneously but can not write to the same volume simultaneously. However, we have used one for about a year and have had few situations that needed that and very few problems. In fact, we are about to add another Terrablock 12D server and will be able to access all storage from all clients.
We find that it administers itself, needs no optimization, and can share media between up to (I think) 20 offline clients (15s:1) or 14 online (1:1) clients in SD, or two editors in HD depending on your server model. The specs are on their website. It supports both OSX and Windows – Avid, FCP, and other clients.
It is very fast and simple to administer. It’s probably not for a facility with 100 siutes but if it fits your workflow requirements, I feel there is no better solution.
John McClary
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John, I agree facilis is the cost effective way to have shared storage. My one concern is the read/write issue. We are on the verge of purchasing a 12T version. Sometimes we need to capture from 2 different sources (or more) at the same time. For example, we have 2 completely independent projects working simultaneously. We have 2 dig beta decks, that, while we aren’t always digitizing at the same time may have to pull a quick thing in while the other job is let’s say digging a bunch of dailies. Right now, with everything being local, it’s no problem. 2 rooms can dig from the DBCs and the other rooms can dig from the betaSP, dvd, DAT or whatever. Is there any way one can dig from 2 sources at the same time without loading it on the local drive and copying it over. Or is there typically just one person who captures media for all rooms. For that matter I would greatly appreciate anybody’s workflow for renders, audio, gfx etc. If it’s read only how does one render? set up a local render area I guess. Unfortunately, it seems shared storage may be more limiting for our purposes.
Doug Brown Editor, Umlaut Films
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Doug,
at the time I left we had two Terrablocks and captured from up to six machines at once. Even with one we could get four at a time – all capturing into separate virtual drives. We didn’t run uncompressed but we always had editors editing while others were digitizing.Call Facilis and have them calculate how many streams you’ll get – they’ll give you the straight facts on its capacities.
John McClary
“The future you can afford”
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Matt,
This doesn’t really help with the actual storage solution on the SAN side but though I would comment for something for you to consider.
This thread hit the nail on the head which is why we have been persistant over the years of providing local storage on the RaveHD systems in addition to being able to connect right into a SAN. This takes away the “mercy of the SAN” scenario and drives themselves are the inexpensive part of the solution.
We have always been a firm believer to not to tie the hands of the user and always provide a backup plan. I can say with confidence that our customer base is using RaveHD in every way they possible can, some direct to a SAN and some not but the one comment we hear over and over is that they like the fact that they are able to ingest into anywhere they need or want and providing a two array set-up on thr RaveHD gives them flexability.
The new Bravo (arriving at NAB) takes this a step further.
Whatever you decide, consider giving yourself a way out in the event your SAN doesn’t perform.
Cheers,
Ramona
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