Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1175944
Channel. As a ratio of CPU usage to bandwidth, Ethernet commonly requires several times the CPU to achieve the same data transfer speeds. The CPU cycles being used for file access through the IP network restricts the CPU available for the application. This is why NAS looks very good on a benchmark, but fails to perform in real-world video workflows. BONUS — FIBRE CHANNEL AVOIDS RESTRICTIVE SECURITY POLICIES Facilities have new priorities in the age of information accessibility; some of these priorities center on restricting access to your secure information, and protecting the integrity of the data and network. To this end, IP networks are under severe scrutiny. IT professionals know that there are many ways to gain access to your desktop via IP network, but no way to do it through point-to-point Fibre Channel connection methods. Because of this, most IT departments are happily 'hands- off' when your system is attached to a central server through Fibre Channel. But be careful, some traditional SAN environ- ments have requirements of both Fibre Channel and Ethernet for connected workstations. Be sure to investigate all the connectivity requirements. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS? The technology of collaborative storage systems continues to follow the trend of IP-based topologies because of the wide accessibility and low cost of scale-out hardware and systems. However, for facil- ities looking to maximize their spending on future-proof connectivity, the value of dedicated, purpose-built networks for high-bandwidth data access can't be overlooked. As important as NAS can be for unlimited access to company data, investing in NAS alone can leave a facility spending more in supplementary storage to offload network traffic. Content creators need to look at shared storage options that take advan- tage of both the scale-out architecture of NAS and the dedicated, low-latency design of Fibre Channel on the same turnkey server. These connectivity methods are complementary — they can be used in parallel, and even in failover scenarios. Facilis Technology has part- nered with Atto Technology to offer shared storage solutions with Fibre Channel and Ethernet connectivity through a custom, shared file system, for the benefit of the content creator, facility owner and engineer. As client-side bitrates increase due to higher-quality imaging and more aggressive broadcast requirements, limitations will inevitably appear in even the strongest NAS architecture. A combined Ethernet/Fibre Channel approach can create an efficient system that uses the best of both technologies. When it's time to do some heavy lifting 25Gb/sec Ethernet Workstations 32Gb/sec Fibre Channel Workstations Shared Storage Solutions for Collaborative Media Production Networks New York's Running Man uses 32Gb Fibre Channel with its Facilis shared storage network.