Which NAS or SAN with Davinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro & Redcine?

[Mark Kern]

We have two Mac workstations in our edit bay. One machine ingests the Red media, and both edit on FCP and Resolve.

Right now we are copying files back and forth between the Macs over the network, then editing locally. Would love to just edit over the network or on a shared storage array.

What's the best way to set this up? iSCSI, Fibre Channel, or just a regular NAS?

Found these guys, as n example...any good?

http://www.studionetworksolutions.com/

 

[Mark Kern]

Okay, so lots of views but no replies. I assume that means other people have the same questions but no real answers.

We are considering 3 main interfaces: iSCSI, Fibrechannel and 10Gbit Ethernet.

The use case is that we need real-time playback of 5k files and share the storage between multiple Macs and editors, colorists, etc.

Because up to two people can be playing back files, we need enough bandwidth to handle both.

We are thinking of building a custom system based on SSD drives, fibre channel switches, and X-San software.

Is anyone else wondering how to get this to work? We can post our results here as we experiment.

 

[Asif Limbada]

I just took a plunge for
1. Promise VTrak x30 Dual Controller 8Gbs Sub System 32TB 16BAY.
2. Qlogic 5800V 8Gbs Fibre Switch with 8 port activate with SFP modules.
3. QLogic Dual Channel HBA. I was going for Quad Channel FC HBA for Mac Pro, but due Slot 4 on Mac Pro is only X4 lanes, it maxes out at 20gbps, hence, 32gbps bandwidth of the card is not utilized. Also the HBA was for like USD 2600.

XSan now come bundled in Lion (or this is what Promise Tech told me)

I am treading new waters myself, was completely oblivious about this 15 days ago, if you have any more questions please let me.

NOTE: Just buy the HDD as soon as possible, cause their prices shot 20-30% due to shortages caused by floods in Thailand.

 

[Mark Kern]

Cool. I just don't much like Promise as a brand. I found these on the Red.com site:

http://www.dvs.de/products/storage-solutions/dvs-san/dvs-san/key-features.html
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/storagesolutions/index.html

Not sure if anyone has tried dvs or sonnet tech systems...

 

[Dustin Cross]

10gigE is easy, fast, and cheap. Smalltree has some great stuff.


Dusty

 

[Dave Blackham]

Whatever it is make sure its FC pref dual link but 8Gig min and has 12 or more spindles plus any redundacy. Don't do NAS for this. Qlogic switches have never failed me yet.

 

[Asif Limbada]

Cool. I just don't much like Promise as a brand. I found these on the Red.com site:

http://www.dvs.de/products/storage-solutions/dvs-san/dvs-san/key-features.html
http://www.sonnettech.com/product/storagesolutions/index.html

Not sure if anyone has tried dvs or sonnet tech systems...

Just bought a Promise, would like to know why you dont like the Promise.

 

[Asif Limbada]

Whatever it is make sure its FC pref dual link but 8Gig min and has 12 or more spindles plus any redundacy. Don't do NAS for this. Qlogic switches have never failed me yet.

Got the Promise VTrak x30 16bay, 32TB 8gbps, QLogic Dual Channel 8gbps FC HBA and QLogic 5800V Switch 8Gbps as well. Do you think its good.

 

[Mark Kern]

You know, its just an early bias when I was buying RAID card for my PC years ago. No idea how they are now. Let us know!

 

[Dave Blackham]

Yes I think Promise are fine. I think thats a very good set up.

 

[Asif Limbada]

Thanks guys, I will post about it once I set it up.