New GlobalSAN X-4: Bulletproof shared storage solution for hi-end Pro Tools users

[SanMan]

Hello All!

After a wonderfully exhaustive weekend at AES, Studio Network Solutions is offering a groundbreaking network storage solution for multiple workstation Pro Tools users. The GlobalSAN X-4 is a 2-workstation network.

The X-4 offers:
2 workstations with up to 192 tracks plus video
1.6 TB Total Storage - 1.1 in a RAID 5 config- no lost data if a drive fails!
Connects over Gigabit Ethernet. This means that you connect straight to your Ethernet port on your computer using the iSCSI protocol. No server is required, nor metadata controller. It connects straight from your OSX, XP, or Windows 2000 directly to the X-4.
Expandabillity - If you need more than 2 workstations on your network, you simply add however many X-4s you need.
Management software - This allows you to administer what users are allowed to read and/or write to which volumes.

Folks, this is a clean, simple setup and it "just works". Say goodbye to firewire, and no more walking your sessions between rooms.

For more information and specs, please visit our website at www.studionetworksolutions.com, or call (877) 537 2094. Below is the full press release.

A special thanks to our friends and all whom we've met at AES. We had a wonderful time.





Studio Network Solutions unveiled its newest product in the globalSAN™ family, the X-4. Among the new and updated storage offerings from SNS, the X-4 is a small yet complete Storage Area Network (SAN) created for multi-room audio studios worldwide that rely on Digidesign’s award-winning Pro Tools® DAW.

“We’ve built the X-4 to be within reach of every multi-room audio studio. Price, performance, capacity – all factors were taken into consideration to make this the best choice for Pro Tools® facilities,” stated Gary Holladay, president of SNS.

The X-4 will be offered as a complete package that includes 1.6 Terabytes of SATA storage in a 1U enclosure. It will contain a single RAID controller and two client licenses of SAN software. One of the most noteworthy aspects of the SAN is the price. While the X-4 is unique in many ways, at $6,999 it offers the lowest point of entry for a complete, multi-user, multi-platform shared SAN.

“Our objective is to enhance the Pro Tools experience,” continues Holladay. With that goal, emphasis has been placed on simple administration and ease of use. Audio engineers can connect directly to the X-4 over Gigabit Ethernet and share RAID-protected storage just as easily as they would with a more expensive Fibre Channel SAN.

The X-4 was also designed around the concept of being “stackable.” For example, a small studio may only need one X-4 unit. But as that studio continues to grow, additional X-4 units can easily be added to increase capacity, performance and users.

As with all models in the globalSAN family, the product is based on the iSCSI protocol, which maximizes the performance of Gigabit Ethernet. The X-4 offers more bandwidth and far greater distance capabilities than USB or FireWire. All globalSAN systems provide the ability to create a high-performance SAN using Ethernet components. Using iSCSI as the SAN protocol eliminates the need to purchase expensive components found in a traditional Fibre Channel SAN.

About Studio Network Solutions
Studio Network Solutions is a storage technology company specializing in hardware and software solutions for the Media/Entertainment industries. SNS is a premier provider of storage area networking products and technologies for real-world media production. For more information, visit www.studionetworksolutions.com.z

[PlanB]

Hi SanMan,

This sounds great. So lemme get this straight: 2 PT HD rigs share the storage, can record each 192 tracks on it at the same time without a hitch and all this over a gigabit ethernet cable?
Sounds almost too good to be true.
The price seems ok also if it works as advertised.

Nice

[SanMan]

Hi PlanB

On a dual processor g5 the following specs:

At 48k playback: 192 tracks between the 2 workstations officially. In other words, 96 tracks per workstation. However, we have seen one workstation with 192 tracks of playback w/video, edits, and crossfades, and the 2nd workstation with over 50 tracks playback simultaneously.

At 96k playback: 2 users simultaneously at 64 tracks each
At 192k playback: 2 users simultaneously at 24 tracks each

At 48k Recording: 2 users simultaneously with 64 tracks each
At 96k Recording: 2 users simultaneously with 32 tracks each
At 192k Recording: 2 users simultaneously with 24 tracks each

If only one workstation is being used at a given time, these specs jump higher.

Yes, 2 PT HD rigs share the storage with about 100MB/s throughput using iSCSI via Gigabit Ethernet.

Hope this clarifies!
Cheers

[PlanB]

Cool, thanks!
Will show this post to our Studio Manager.

Any hint on an ETA?

[SanMan]

Any hint on an ETA?

They are available now.

[guru007]

Since this is designed with smaller rooms in mind, i.e., studios without separate machine rooms, how loud is it?

thx,
guru007

[SanMan]

Hi guru007

Since this is designed with smaller rooms in mind, i.e., studios without separate machine rooms, how loud is it?

The X-4 is a powerful box. It has 4 drives as well as the RAID controller, so it's going to move some air. I would not necessarily track in the same room with a condensor mic. Keep in mind that with Gig E you can have it 90 feet away. Once set up you don't have to physically access it.

SanMan

[7rojo7]

Can I trade in my AV San for it?

[SanMan]

Hi 7rojo7

Give us a call 877 537 2094.