[Nathaniel Cooper]

This is a completely reasonable work flow and budget. Considering your codecs and current storage, I’m guessing your looking in the 16TB range, but that’s just a guess.

For dual stream DVCPro HD and Prores work, you can use iSCSI or FC. Depending on a few things, I could definitely design a system based on EVO hardware https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/products/product_detail.php?pi=12 for under 20k.

Feel free to contact me if you’d like to discuss specifics (And yes, I do give non-profit discounts)

Nathaniel Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey Nick,

There just isn’t a way to network those boxes to handle uncompressed HD and 2k video.

Since the boxes run on SAS/SATA connections they are only able to handle direct connection to a workstation. The only way to network that type of set up would be to use the storage as a NAS set up. Which would work and would be fast, just not fast enough for the performance you want.

The exception would be if you did the whole NAS with 10GbE, but at this point I’ve still never seen that used as a viable option for this type of set up. If anyone has seen this feel free to chime in.

Nate Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/

[Nathaniel Cooper]

In general it’s better to leave running, especially if there’s no reason to shut down. Servers and RAID arrays are designed to run 24/7. Spinning the disks up and down will increase the risk of something going wrong.

Nate Cooper
Studio Network Solutions
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey Brandon,

I work for SNS, I’m sure you’re working with one of my colleagues already, but wanted to chime in.

If you’re interested in the EVO hardware, which will allow you to share the same LUNs/data over FC and GigE seamlessly, but you want the workflow that Xsan offers; just use the Xsan software with the EVO hardware.

EVO is just our hardware platform, most users use it with SANmp as we provide complete solution packages and SANmp is a much more simple solution than most other SAN softwares. But, you can use EVO a la carte with any standard SAN software (Xsan, MetaSAN, Commandsoft, etc.)

I don’t know where you are located, but, we’ll be at HD Expo in Burbank in a couple of weeks showing EVO using SANmp and Xsan software if you’re interested in seeing it. We’ll be at booth #113.

Whatever you choose, good luck!

Nate Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey Morton,

Here are a couple of options I would recommend and have had success with.

Option 1
– Add an inexpensive switch (qlogic 1400) $2000
– Add SAN software (Volume level SANmp, file level MetaSAN or Xsan) I’d recommend at least trying SANmp and MetaSAN as you can get free trials of both products. $1000 or so per seat
– Cables and extra FC card – $1500

Total cost: Around $5500

::Advantages:: You’re not using the processing of any of your workstations to host file shares, this is huge if you’re running on an older machine like a G5. You’re also using existing hardware, which is nice. This will give you as much performance as an Xserve RAID will offer. Tried and true method.
::Disadvantages:: You still have to connect with the laptop through a file share. No extra storage.

Option 2
– Add a Studio Network Solutions EVO – $15,000

::Advantages::Adds 8TB of storage. Allows you to bridge the XRAID to the laptop via iSCSI, this gives greater video performance on GigE connections. No need for an FC switch. Allows expansion over FC or GigE. Compatible with SANmp, MetaSAN, Xsan.
::Disadvantages:: Cost goes up compared to other option.

10Gb seems like a bad way to go to me, at this point in the market. You’d spend a good chunk of money getting a true 10Gb fabric and would still be limited on the laptops. It’s just makes more sense to stick with FC, in my opinion.

Nate Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey Christian,

I work for SNS and if you have any specific questions about our products feel free to let me know. Here is a quick run down…

The EVO comes standard with 8TB of storage, 4 x 4Gb FC connections and 2 x 1Gb ethernet connections. There is a single expansion slot that can be outfitted with either 4 more FC ports, 4 more GigE ports or a single 10Gb Ethernet port. A single EVO head can expand up to 32TB of storage, and you can expand your fabric with multiple EVO’s after that you’ll just need to use a switch at that point.

It supports FC and iSCSI access to the same LUNs, meaning if you want your HD on FC and your SD suites on iSCSI you can do that and they can access the same material.

If you already have MetaSAN and like that we do support MetaSAN on the EVO hardware. If you want to move to a volume locking system we do bundle our SANmp software. Either way will work.

The EVO also offers FC bridging for existing storage. This would allow you to connect your existing FC storage to be hosted out via iSCSI.

Hope this helps and feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Nate Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey just so everyone has it, here is some info on those X4’s:

– Single RAID controller
– iSCSI interface
– 2 x GigE connections
– 4 x 500GB drives
– Support for RAID 0,1,5, and 10
– RAID 10 recommend for Pro Tools, RAID 5 for FCP/Avid
– OSX, WinXp, Win2k support
– Compatible with the Microsoft iSCSI initiator and the Studio Network Solutions iSCSI initiator for Mac. Both free downloads.
– Assuming it’s in it’s original packaging and no one swiped them it each unit should have 2 Seats of SANmp
– Original MSRP $6999.00 USD
– Discontinued Q3 2008
– More product info: https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/products/product_detail.php?pi=2
– SNS globalSAN software: https://www.studionetworksolutions.com/products/product_detail.php?pi=11

Hope this helps.

Nate Cooper
Studio Network Solutions
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Ian,

I believe the core issue here is your not using any software to manage the sharing. AFP is great for quick and easy file sharing, but really sucks when it comes to video capture and playing.

I’d recommend contacting Bernard from Tiger Technologies, they make MetaLAN software which is what Bob was talking about in his article on an affordable SAN.

Also keep in mind any IP connection is very processor intensive, so using a G4 vs G5 vs new Mac Pro makes a huge difference. What is likely happening is data is being lost in the IP packet transmission, sometimes this causes dropped frames, sometimes this causes corrupt files.

I assume MetaLAN has some type of caching algorithms that compensate for this, however, am not sure as I’ve only used their Fibre product.

Good luck.

Nate Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331

[Nathaniel Cooper]

The statement “to move a project from one client to another, all associated media has to be transferred as well” is incorrect and would defeat one of the great reasons to have a SAN.

And yes, all users in a volume based system can have read only access to all other data.

Historically Facilis has been completely volume based. They recently released a file level version of their software, however, currently only support windows for file locking.

Nate

[Nathaniel Cooper]

Hey Mike,

As far as the question of do you need to transfer your associated media on a volume level system. The answer, with most applications is no. You only need to transfer the project files, which are always very small. Final Cut Pro doesn’t care, Avid does, but most vendors have ways to make Avid compatible.

There are two types of SAN software on the market. File level and volume level. A very quick overview on the differences:

File level (Xsan, MetaSAN, Unity…)
Basic principle: Large volume(s) that multiple users have read and write privileges.
Advantages: Fewer volumes, easier for users to conceptualize, usually more flexible with growing existing volumes
Disadvantages: Need for a metadata network in addition to the SAN network, cost tends to be more, greater need for support (both implementing and maintaining).

Volume Level (SANmp, Facilis, Commandsoft…)
Basic principle: Have multiple volumes, usually based on per project or per user, that a single users can write to and multiple users can read from simultaneously.
Advantages: Cost, speed, simplicity, tend to have greater compatibility with applications due to using native filesystems.
Disadvantages: Greater need for planned workflow, harder to conceptualize for end users, does not work in render farm applications, tends not to have support for Linux.

The question, simply boils down to what you have to spend and what is important to your facility. Both file level and volume level are great options to increase your workflow over a direct attached workflow. However, as you have experienced, it adds a whole new dimension of support.

If you are interested in a volume level solution, I can help design a workflow that will make it work. Most likely using existing hardware. Feel free to contact me if you’re interested, and good luck!

Nate Cooper
ncooper@studionetworksolutions.com
818 209 1331