How to Create a Networked Storage Solution with G-Tech G-Speed XL

Hurlbut Visuals has posted this fantastic guide on creating a small networked storage solution using G-Tech G-Speed XL Thunderbolt drives and HP workstations. It involves using one of the z840s on the network to share the G-Speed XLs directly with other z840 worksations directly via 10GB ethernet, as well as via 1GBe over the entire network via switch. They put together a great guide that includes a video so follow the link at the end of the article to watch it. Great job! Hurlbut Visuals by David C Weldon Jr. In our first article, Foundations for Workflow, File Management and Post-Production, we reviewed why having a solution foundation and base to work with is so incredibly important and crucial to your future growth in post-production. We discussed how we built our Hurlbut Visuals post workflow and we are excited to take you through the process. We’re going to break this up into two parts. It is important to note that if you are looking to build a system similar to ours or design one entirely different, you need to take the time and invest in the right materials to avoid making costly mistakes.

What is a “Direct Network” or “Network Attached Direct Storage”?

This type of system allows you to take a physical drive, like a G-Speed Studio XL (in our case at Hurlbut Visuals) or even a USB 3.0 G-RAID, and connect it to your computer and share it over the computer’s network. That’s the basic idea. You’re plugging in a hard drive to one computer, connecting that computer to either a 10GbE connection or a Gigabit connection and then other computers are connected on the other end via either a direct connection or a network switch.

Why “Direct Network”? What is “Shared Storage,” and what are the advantages?

There are two key areas.

First, if you’re working in an environment where you have multiple people who need access to digital material (video, photos, graphics, etc.), you may want to consider shared storage. It would be especially beneficial if you are currently set up with multiple 4TB, 2TB and 500GB little hard drives that you constantly pass around the office.

Shared storage is pretty straightforward. Let’s use Hurlbut Visuals as an example. We have five people who constantly need access to all of these materials – Shane, Cooper, Dylan, Megan and me. Oftentimes, we need access to the same file. So what are the options?

1. Create multiple duplicate drives so that we can all access the same file, but on different drives
2. Shared storage so that we access the same file, all from the same location.

The multiple drive route creates chaos. Remember my workflow article? This comes into play here. If Dylan changes the name on his file or updates an Adobe or DaVinci project file, but it only stays on HIS drive, that does not update MY drive, or Cooper’s or Megan’s or Shane’s. Multiply this by countless projects and files and it becomes a mess. read more...