Shared Network Storage

[Steven1145]

We recently installed a DELL server with dual Gigabit connections (trunked). It has 1.5Tb (useable) of RAID 5 storage. We can run Nuendo projects off it directly (100+ track projects running on 4 different workstations simult.).

If you're thinking of a central storage, in the "save and forward" mode, then 100Mb network would be OK. For direct access and realtime stuff off 4 stations, upgrade to gigabit.

I have installed Gigabit Server NICs in all the PC. These have a minimal CPU onboard that helps offload TCP calculations from the host CPU (very important when running host-based DAW...)


Steven

[riteup3]

Originally Posted by Steven1145

I have installed Gigabit Server NICs in all the PC. These have a minimal CPU onboard that helps offload TCP calculations from the host CPU (very important when running host-based DAW...)

Hi Steven,
What brand of NICs did you go with? 3Com seems popular among IT pros.
Is it PCI Express based?

Thanks,

ron

edit: i just noticed the keyword "trunked" in your message. i feel that's a major reason why you can achieve such speeds on your network. care to tell us a bit more of the logistics involved in building your trunked network? how many cards per computer, switches involved etc... very interesting to me at least.

[Steven1145]

Originally Posted by riteup3

Hi Steven,
What brand of NICs did you go with? 3Com seems popular among IT pros.
Is it PCI Express based?

Thanks,

ron

edit: i just noticed the keyword "trunked" in your message. i feel that's a major reason why you can achieve such speeds on your network. care to tell us a bit more of the logistics involved in building your trunked network? how many cards per computer, switches involved etc... very interesting to me at least.

Most of my PC are still PCI or PCI-X so I have'nt had the chance to use a PCE-e version yet. I have found some very cheap 3Com996B-T server NIC on eBay, that have a Broadcom chip and support TCP offload. I also got my hands on a couple on Intel Pro dual Gigabit NICs that have two Gb connections that can be trunked.

The audio network is running through a dedicated switch to avoid collisions with data packets not belonging to our audio work (other PCs or Mac used for studio management for example). We use a Lindy 24 port manageable switch. It's important to go for a proper brand where the switch is concerned (though I had'nt heard of Lindy before): look for Cisco stuff for example. The management allows you to trunk x number of ports (usually up to 8) to connect one device through multiple Gigabit ports. Our Dell server has 2 ports that are trunked (generic trunking mode, nothing fancy) with the Broadcom Control Suite software (good piece of NIC management software, comes with all NIC sporting Broadcom chips).

The throughput of the server to the workstations is quite amazing, with better performance through the network than on local SATA drives (both in access times and in bandwidth).

The server is running Windows Storage Server 2003 R2. I had to look into this a bit, and found some invaluable information in Windows Server 2003 for Dummies!

[riteup3]

Originally Posted by Steven1145

The server is running Windows Storage Server 2003 R2. I had to look into this a bit, and found some invaluable information in Windows Server 2003 for Dummies!

I have this one on order
Thanks for the detailed explanation and for sharing Steven.

ron

[SNSryan]

Originally Posted by Audion

Hi

Our facility had Studio Network Solutions install a Fibre Channel system two years ago. I had to spend about a year debuggin it. I eventually reformatted the system and now have a 40 TB archiving system. It was just too unstable for a production enviorment. We had eight studios and 40 post systems running Pro Tools on OSX. We always had one system or the other that could not access data or the system would need a reboot. Imagine taking close to 50 workststions offline for a 3 minute reboot while clients are present. I had to comp many hours. I could not take the risk any longer and for now we use sneaker net and a basic networked Glyph system. We haven't had a problem since until this is posted of course.

Hi Audion,

I find your case disturbing (i'm sure you do as well). I am the product support manager for SNS, this is the 1st I have heard of your issue. Should you prefer, please send me an email @ ryans@studionetworksolutions.com so we can get you taken care of ASAP. We do whatever it takes to make our clients happy. This is not how we do business...

sincerely,
ryan

[SNSryan]

Originally Posted by thebri

Nah, we don't loose any targets. We only have 4 active stations hooked up. We have two other users, but one is a backup station that only runs at night, the other is a producer who only grabs files to upload to clients and whatnot. A mere fly on that wharthog.

All users have a dedicated line to the SANS, with not even a patchbay.

Yeah, we are using both ethernet ports. One for the sans, and the other for like email and general porn surfing...er, I mean web surfing.

We have sent thems logs and they say nothing looks weird. well, I should say, after a month, and then a phone call that's what they said. A bit disappointing there.

Overall, we get work done, and we are better for having it, but the system is hardly perfect.

When you get a chance shoot me an email @ ryans@studionetworksolutions.com so we can make sure you are on the latest firmware version available for your unit. I look forward to hearing from you.

thanks,
ryan