[Craig Wolf]

Good thinking. Didn’t know about that!

[Craig Wolf]

If it is strictly a file server you need for graphic editors, the mini with Promise R(4 or 6) is a great solution. We have that at many clients with up to 20 users, and they love the speed, especially if the workflow is that they work off of local storage, and save completed projects to the server.

[Craig Wolf]

wow, thanks everyone for the detailed responses. After we look at options, we thought we had a great solution. We were going to take two current edit stations (Mac Pros), make those the metadata controllers, and buy new Mac Pros for the edit station. But of course, in Apple’s infinite wisdom, Late 2007 Mac Pros can not go Mountain Lion.

The price difference isn’t much from going with a mini and sonnet xMac enclosure, so now the choices are:

1. Buy two Mac Pros for new metacontrollers, stick with xsan, and buy two additional ActiveRAID storage arrays (and if not Active, then who else is recommended for Fibre XSAN storage arrays?)

2. I’m still intrigued in how much I could put a Dell server with StorNEXT together for. From what I understand (and I may be way wrong), StorNEXT and XSAN are nearly identical.

They really want to be able to still use the XSAN, and I agree, but I am really skeptical on how long Apple will keep XSAN alive.

And once again thank you all for your help.

[Craig Wolf]

Thanks for your reply.

Sorry, I’ll clear up some issues.
Current system has a qlogic fibre switch which all edit stations (5), metadata controllers (2) and afp bridge (1) is connected. Also currently has a separate metadata ethernet network.

Option 1 just gives us the same, except we can upgrade to Mountain Lion. We currently have one ML edit station connected, but it was a pain to get it to work with our Lion XSAN. They will be upgrading more edit stations and don’t want that hassle.

2/3: just got off the phone with ActiveStorage, and the metadata controller is really a good replacement for our xserves, but at quite a high cost. Benefit is we can still use current xserve raids, but also purchase faster and larger raid arrays for future growth.

4. Definitely do not want AVID. Currently they use Final Cut Pro/Motion, Episode, and will be going to Premier/After Effects. And yes, xServe RAIDs are very slow compared to the new technology you can purchase. This was purchased around 2006, and has served them well, but definitely needs to be upgraded.

Thanks again.

[Craig Wolf]

Just want to say Alex was terrific to work with and purchase from.

I just installed the CineRaid, and it was FREAKY FAST!!!!!

Just an amazing product! Thank you again Alex.

[Craig Wolf]

email sent

[Craig Wolf]

Ok, this is awesome.

Thanks so much.

[Craig Wolf]

I found if I got the VTrak EClass 4TB array and purchased 1TB drives from Promise it is cheaper than getting the VTrak EClass 8TB array. I believe price was around $7500.

The price on the UltraStor is fantastic.

[Craig Wolf]

First, thanks so much for all the advice.

Second, and totally your perspective, but if you have to get a general IT DAS and used mini-SAS, what would you get?

Third, I know this isn’t related to A/V, so thanks so much EVERYONE for taking the time to answer my questions.

[Craig Wolf]

Sorry, I was thinking both you and Stephen worked for Enhance Tech/ProAVio.

Hmm, at that price point, the client may just go with the Promise solution, as they are very comfortable with FC.

I wish I could test this out before I make the purchase. Client needs it purchased today.