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Migrating away from Cache-a
We currently use CatDV as our digital asset manager and we have a Cache-a Pro Cache LTO5 system that archives our old footage files and projects when we run out of space on our main area for editing storage. We use the archiving plugin built into CatDv to archive our raw footage files. For our project files they are just put onto a tape via Cache-a’s v-tape system. So CatDv knows where the footage is but only Cache-a knows where the projects are located. In total we have 100+ Tapes that are all full of data and each tape has a matching clone at an off-site location. I have put Tier 2 storage in to take care of daily backup so I am only looking to LTO as an archiving solution. All of our tapes are formatted to LTFS (Cache-A).
The problem is that ProMax has announced the end of support of all Cache-a Systems at the end of 2017, So I am currently trying to figure out what we are going to do. ProMax has made there offer to upgrade to their new platform and migrate the cache-a database but they are not currently offering any support for CatDv saying they are waiting to see what customer demand is. This does not instill me with confidence that this will come.
I was wondering if anyone else has ended up in the same boat and if anyone can suggest a system? I am looking for something that will allow me to continue backing up projects on the LTO system and allow me to search thru the tapes. but also allow CatDv to continue to archive and restore footage files. In the way I have done. If I could find a system that could recatalog all of my old tapes by inserting them one by one, It would be a lot of leg work but It would migrate us and I could live with it. I have the MySQL backup file from my old cache-a System, If a system had a way to import that data I would be very interested.
Ideally I am looking to move to a system that is LTO-7 and I don’t really care if it is a full appliance or just software I can run with any LTO drive.
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4 Replies
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Eli-
As I am currently dealing with this exact situation with many of our clients, here is the information I have been giving. Please feel free to reach out to me for a deeper discussion, I am happy to help in any way that I can.
Piston Media Group is a re-seller & integrator for Video Software & Hardware products, moreover, we try to be the best resource we can for product information. Part of our product offerings include both ProMAX and CATDV. We also offer a product called XenData for LTO Archiving. This integrates directly with CATDV. Please see the links below for more information. The XenData range of data storage systems is optimized for reliable long-term retention of video files. Systems are available that store content on LTO cartridges, Sony Optical Disc Archive cartridges or on RAID. Disk systems include Continuous Data Protection (CDP), backing up to either a locally attached LTO library or the Amazon cloud. Please feel free to reach me any time for more information about ProMAX, CATDV, XenData or any other products or workflows. We are happy to help in any way we can, and if we can earn your business in the process, then we have done our job.
A CatDV asset management system from Square Box Systems when integrated with a XenData Archive, provides a powerful and cost effective solution for management and long term retention of video assets on either LTO or Sony Optical Disc Archive (ODA) cartridges.
https://www.xendata.com/partners09/catdv.html
https://www.squarebox.com/storage-and-archiving/xendata-and-catdv/I hope this helps,
Josh Phillippi
Piston Media Group
(818) 318-8211
jp@pistonmediagroup.com
https://www.pistonmediagroup.com -
Hi Eli – StorageDNA DNAevolution has CatDV integration and can import all of your LTFS tapes as well into its own catalog system.
Feel free to reach out for more information.
Thanks
Doug
Doug Hynes
StorageDNA, Inc.
http://www.storagedna.com -
Hi Eli,
While I can’t make any recommendations for the best solution going forward, your Cache-A does have a couple of built-in tools for exporting the tape library database. These tools allow you to select, format and export all your tapes and their contents into a csv file which is readable by Excel or many other programs.
I’ve posted the Cache-A tech brief describing how to use this at
https://tomgoldberg.net/Cache-A/CATechBrief-catalog-export.pdfIn order to use this, you will need to be able to log into the Cache-A’s command line – instructions can be found at
https://tomgoldberg.net/Cache-A/CATechBrief-CommandLine.pdfGood luck,
TomTom Goldberg
TGCS
30201 Rainbow Hill Rd.
Evergreen, CO 80439
mailto:tomgoldberg@gmail.com
https://tomgoldberg.net -
Thanks Tom this is very helpful.
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