[Chris Miller]

Hi all,
Just as an update, I posted my proposal to the SD a few weeks ago and am waiting on a reply… the budget is frozen at the moment so it will take a bit… WIll keep youy all posted, and will post the entire setup soon. Thanks for the help from you all earlier.

[Chris Miller]

Sean,
Ok, I got your post, I am sorry if I seemed like I was ignoring the posts… It happens with little sleep.

I apologize for calling the target a server… I call alot of things servers, routers, boxes etc because it is habit XD.

Here is what I see
Software wise, we got issues. We need MetaSAN on each Mac.I never considered pirating though, I HATE PIRATES (digital and peg leg).

Well… The plan is due mid next week…

Here is what I see:
We need a nic or two in each Mac
We need MetaSAN on each Mac

Questions:
What software do we put on the target (server)?
If I go the route of Fiber, (recently found out we can get free fiber cables and junction boxes (maybe))would this be cheaper or easier or both?
Should I just scrap the plan and make a big file server?

[Chris Miller]

Well, after much long discussion with my supervisors and fellow techies, we have decided to try the setup using the 6 port nic, and the network switch, and the free software. If it fails, we can use it as an NAS until next yere where we will purchase better software and such. We do have ALOT of time this summer and will just tinker with the system for a while. We will try Free NAS, Open Filer, and many more. If they all fail, we have two more options, and if they fail we will go to plan B, GIANT NETWORK DRIVE. We need “something” which will work fpr next school year, a network drive will not be able to log/ capture to, but we have a totally seperate plan for that.

Mr. Geier, I apologize about our phone conversation earlier, my cell phone died on me and I could not use the other phone, for it was being used. Thank you for your help again!

Thanks to everyone so far for the help. Once we get thsi approved, I will post back and discuss any issues we come across (I am aware everyone is predicting MANY issues, but who knows? It could (1% chance) work on the first try (ok more like .25% chance) time will tell.

[Chris Miller]

I contacted Small Tree and they hooked me up with the proper 6 port card and network switch. I am having the company which we buy through look for better else where for it is standart operating procedure.

The guys at small tre also reccomended using Open-E as a server software. IT is not as pricey as others and may be able to get an educational discount.
Also he mentioned that some free software may be as good, but it may not be compatiable with the Nic. He said it never hurt to try it, saving money is good, esp in todays economy. I plan on trying Free NAS and Open Filer. If both fail, we will invest in Open E.

Hardware wise, I did learn that the best hard drives to use for this type of thing is Hitachi, for they are most stable. We will have a 8.5 TB storage area, weith .5 TB for tinkering (we need a network drive for other stuff). We are going to get two nics per Mac to increase the bandwidth.

The only issue I see now is in the iSCSI access software for the MAcs themselves. Ideas? Does Apple make any free add-ons for it, like Microsoft does for Windows XP/Vista.

Thanks!

[Chris Miller]

Ok… Now I will admit I am a bit confused… I just had my brain blasted with math homework… I will discuss this plan with my teacher and my friend who is helping me and I will post what we think we should do, then you guys can chew it up and spit it out and tell me what to do. Then once I get the software, and hardware. I will built the stuff and then for setup you guys eat me again…

Hardware wise:
We do not need a rack for this thing, its easier to just get a full tower with acoustic dampening and stoe it in a closet (which has an AC in it?! … no one know why…)
Managed Hub umm … 750? I found this : https://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=551386&sku=T156-2126

Its managed… Would it work?

We will have 3 months to tinker with this system this summer! The district trusts me enough to let me in… wow I am lame spending the summer at school… Well I do love the TV studio… and technology… + i may get paid to set this up…

Thanks for all the help… I honestly thank you all.. and I will follow all of your advice to a T.

[Chris Miller]

There may be a change in plans. We found a partial turnkey solution. We may invest in a SATABoy (that is what the company reccomended we use over their other more expensive products) with a few alike things to the previous systems. Anyone here familular with Sata boy?

[Chris Miller]

Ok ok ok, I KNOW I do know what I am doing, I have only been POINTED in the right direction by an IT guy, I DO NOT have as much help as you all think. I am looking into getting either MetaSAN or MetaLAN.

Now I will ask, which one of the two should I use? I got the Hardware setup from Mr. Zelin’s article (which was very informative)and I will have three months to tinker with the software once the school year ends and this budget gets approved. So which should I use?

[Chris Miller]

Ok, thanks for the reassurance, I just wasnt expecting to hear some of that when I got in today, was a long day too many lectures, and at least 50 pages of notes (Seriously I took 50 pages of notes, full pages).

I also apologize for sounding a bit demanding, we all have demanding jobs, I am an honors student, trying 2keep a 4.1, and balance alot more for the average student (personal details). I am surprised I have so much free time at the moment.

I read some positive reviews on Bob’s article, I think I am going to use it for my SAN server system. I discussed it with some of the other techs @ the studio, they agree it should work and we will most probabbly use different software if the software he reccomended is too expensive (I asked if they would donate it, sometimes companies do that for schools). If that fails, well I will search for something cheaper/ free. I did find this free software incase all else fails. It is linux based, would someone mind telling me if they think it would work, I will ahve ALOT of time to tinker with it to make it work.

Link: https://www.openfiler.com/

Also, my network people are only advisors, I need to set this all up myself with some help from another student who is experienced in Linux and Mac. With our brains combine, we could figure out how to set this up.

Thanks again guys!

[Chris Miller]

Ok, ok ok….

Ok then… I am going to list what I want to do, and a few limitations, plese someone tell me what else I need to do, WITHOUT INSULTING ME/ MY HELP!

Here is the information:
7 Macs, OSX running Final Cut Pro 32 bit OS, they have a PCI port open on each.
We will log/capture to the server.
In the server, we will be using 1.5 TB 7,200RPM HDD’s.We will be using 9 of them.
We can use either Linux or XP on the server, but we’d PREFER XP.
Fibre is not an option.

What do I need to put in the macs hardware wise?
In the server hardware wise?
Server software? (cheaper the better)
Client software? (cheaper the better)
What type of network switch do I need?

Let me know this info ASAP, please just tell me the info…

Thanks!
Chris

[Chris Miller]

The students will be editing at DV quality, they dont’t use any higher because they are not allowed (except for Film festival students, but usually they edit one at a time anyway) and most don’t know how. I did find this article on Creative Cow… This may work..
https://magazine.creativecow.net/article/build-your-own-affordable-san-that-iworksi

With this solution, the techs at school get XP, we dont need to learn Linux. I am only “iffy” about the software it recocmends. It is expensive… we may be able to afford it, but will it work, if installed on a PC, with macs? Any reccomendations for cheaper, software that does the same thing this will do? We may be willing to fork out 2.4 K for the software. I found the other parts needed for this system easy on the web.

Thanks for your help so far!