Fiber Optics for Network Storage and Cloud Computing

MadHMC150

MadHMC150

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Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had some experience with a fiber network setup in a production studio / office. Most likely looking at 8gbs fiber hardware.

We are looking at running fiber to connect at least 5 new mac pro's together to both share assets (very important and up to 40GB projects) and processing power (not as important).

Our current workflow is to shoot talking heads and computer screen casts - and edit it all together. Editing computers are different from screen cast capturing computers, but they are all in the same office and up to 100ft apart. We use a EX1r for video and can capture on a blackmagic or use SDHC cards. Also, we use Final Cut 7 Suite and may be open to change to Premiere if it makes sense.

Is this a huge improvement over gigabit ethernet?
Any other alternatives?
Should we have an assets controller computer? or storage on the network?
I am under the impression we can edit files right through the network without actually transferring?

I am really interested in what is common practice in a production house that produces weekly videos or more..


Any advice or comments welcomed! - Thanks
 
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What is your budget? The cost of the fiber cards, cables & switches alone is going to be in the low to mid 5 figures, without even adding in the storage. Add another $10k or more for a fiber channel RAID.
 
Yeah, cables, cards and a switch are aprox $10K. I am really looking for what other studios do and if there are any alternatives. If we really NEED to go fiber and/or is it worth all the money.

We are gigabit now and it seems to clunky to be moving around all the files we do every day.

Thunderbolt seems like it will be a solid contender since its 10gbs. I just don't think there is hardware out there there for networking and/or cloud computing.
 
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I think you should just worry about Cat 6 and forget the fiber for your size operation. Not cost effective. If you were running 4 or 5 studios and and large ingest operations and multiple edit suites and storage like Avid Unity, I could talk to you.
If you insist, look at companies like Evertz and Miranda for distribution products.
 
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You should take a look at 10 Gig ethernet. Companies like Small Tree and Editshare have 10GE solutions that are much cheaper than fiber.
 
Ok after doing a bit of research and reaching out to small tree, there are a few options to consider... Needing to setup 8 Macpros now we could:

A: Go with small-tree hardware (optimized for video) and setup 1 Macpro as a server and equip it with 7 x 10GE ports. Then run all 7 other computers to this server for file sharing and cloud computing. We would still need to figure out a storage solution. Total aprox $19k.

B: Go with a Small-tree server / ST-RAID II - http://www.granitestor.com/st-raid-2.html and an article on it http://www.small-tree.com/Articles.asp?Id=400 - This would both run as our switch / server and also have the storage solution we need to edit on the fly from any computer. 32TB is aprox $42k

C: Go with hardware that I found on Amazon/Newegg which would be around $13-15k. We would be all on our own as far as setup and overall performance.


Decisions decisions! Any comments??
 
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Do you need someone to hold your hand or do you have tech savy people that can integrate the hardware? I use Egghead for all of my home systems. I am an engineer that designs systems at network level, so have no problem being "on my own". Distribution is not cheap on a professional level.
 
Not sure if we will need hand holding since my experience stops at gigabit. I do like the fact that small-tree logs into all your computers and optimizes the network at no extra charge.
 
From what I've heard, Maxx has a reputation as a pretty good VAR. I think they use Small Tree hardware for there house branded ethernet SAN.
 
SO order was placed! Going with a 32TB (16bay) stack and a Macpro server with 10GE connections.. Thanks for the help/suggestions guys!!

When we actually ran the numbers, not every client needed a 10GE connection. For normal editing it can be done through a dedicated gigabit port, no internet or file sharing. Nice thing is MacPros have 2 ethernet ports so just have to run more cable!

The system is rather future proof with the ability to add 10GE connections and up to 8 more 16bay racks (thats a lot of harddrives).

Though, we are definitely paying a premium since the supply of harddrives is limited from the unfortunate natural disaster..
 
Congrats & best of luck! Did you go with Maxx? Please post back after it's all been broken in to let us know how it's working for you.
 
So Update:
Things are running smoothly with only 1 server reboot needed the 2nd day. One of the 10GE clients was not seeing the servers IP. Simple reboot fixed it! Everything fit into a 7' tall server rack on wheels and this thing is everything but quiet.

We now have 9 people working off the RAID stack and havent run into any drop frames yet. I believe we, with the prores 1080p 422 codec, are able to stream up to 5 video tracks in the timeline on a 1GE connection. With a 10GE connection up to 15 video tracks!

1GE = We are getting 100-110MBs read/write speeds through standard cat5 cable.
10GE = over 300MBs read/write through fiber.

(MB not Mb - so fast!)

The access speed through 10GE card > fiber > 10GE switch > Mac server > RAID stack is just about the same as the r/r on my internal SDD :)))))))))

The server to RAID stack tested out at 1500+MBs! Highly recommend this system as of now.. will let you guys know how it keeps up! If you are in FL, look up Bob Zelin - hes a modern Einstein when it comes to this stuff.
 
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