Shared video storage for 2 FCP workstations

I have been asked by a client to install a shared storage (and backup) system that will allow 2 Mac workstations (one dual G5, one Mac Pro 8 core) to edit a few streams of DV video simultaneously in Final Cut Pro 6. They may want to work with higher quality video in the future as well.

They are keen to keep costs down, so I have put together a few alternative solutions. This is based on my research over the past few days - I have no direct experience of such systems, and would value any comments before I pass this on to the client.

Solution 1

Server - secondhand Powermac G5 with eSata expansion card

Storage - 2 external eSata hard drive units containing either 5 or 8 hard drives in RAID 0 or RAID 5. One is used for the storage, one for the backup. Models I have looked at are Provio Editbox 8MS, Sonnet Fusion D500P, and some cheap ones from Addonics.

Networking - the server would be directly connected to the client Macs with gigabit ethernet cables - not through a switch. Jumbo frames enabled.

advantages: expandable system - just add more disk units as required. Can support more Macs as well if required. Server handles all file transactions, putting no strain on Macs running Final Cut


Solution 2

As above, but with only 1 external hard drive unit. The backup will instead be done to internal/external drives connected to the the Macs.

disadvantages: computers/hard drives have to be turned on for backup (although we may be able to automate them turning on and off). backup potentially more complicated as it may have to be split between drives.

Solution 3

As above, but with no server. The hard drive unit would instead be directly connected to the Mac Pro, and shared over the network to the other with a direct mac-to-mac gigabit ethernet cable. Jumbo frames enabled on both macs.

disadvantages: host computer performance may be affected when shared files are being accessed over the network.


Solution 4

As above, but with no disk unit. We put 3 x 1.5TB internal drives into the Mac Pro giving 4.2TB capacity. These are backed up to 3 x 1.5TB external firewire drives.

disadvantages: host computer performance may be affected when shared files are being accessed over the network. Not expandable.

thanks Shane. This is the post that made me think it would be ok to use GIG-E:

http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/8/983753#983833

Ah...that does look like a nifty solution Andrew...

I know that I have been able to network two macs via Gig-E and get 3 streams of DVCPRO HD, but it wasn't reliable. Dropped frames on occasion. But this...looks promising for low end stuff. Not sure about ProRes, but DV, and DVCPRO HD and HDV...XDCAM...looks decent.

But what the hell do I know about networks?



Shane



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thanks Warren. Unfortunately I'm in the UK so I'm not sure how feasible that would be....

I would be interested to hear more details about your setup though - what sort of unit is housing the disks, and if they are connected to a server, one of the client machines, or networked through a switch?

thanks

Andrew