The Application of Storage Area Networks for Post-Production Environments

Storage Area Networking (SAN) is the design methodology which adapts well to the digital storage needs of post-production environments. This methodology allows for the rationalisation of shared media storage across multi-workstation facilities. — The Fibre Channel (FC) networking technology is fast becoming the major medium for SAN's. FC is versatile, very fast and has Classes of Service. FC can be configured into local loops, switched loop-to-loop networking and peer-to-peer topologies. These topologies can be applied to common functional groups and connections between groups in post-production. Because of the Gigabit-per-second speed of FC the same piece of media can be accessed, and played, concurrently between video/audio workstations. — Other technologies, such as Ultra SCSI, Firewire, USB and SSA, either supplement or compliment FC in the SAN. Legacy storage can be either reproposed or integrated into the post-production environment. All storage must be considered and rationalised. — Management of the SAN is an issue currently for which many vendors are rapidly developing applications. These applications range from simple read/write permissions coordination to drive format resolutions across different computer platforms. SAN management can include integration with metadata for total control over digital media assets.

Published

1999-07

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/M001213

ISBN

978-1-61482-948-5