Datasheet

16
Technology Overview
Xsan
Deploying Xsan
Xsan relies on a proven architecture that’s ideal for video post-production workflows,
data centers, and high-performance computing environments. What’s more, the Apple
solution is available at a fraction of the cost of competitive solutions.
Xsan for Post-Production Workflows
Professionals in film, broadcast, and video post-production depend on high-bandwidth,
scalable storage that can be accessed concurrently by multiple workstations. The
SAN—not the LAN—becomes the key to collaboration and efficient workflow for
these organizations. A SAN simplifies the work for end users, eliminates data duplica-
tion between systems, and reduces overall storage needs.
Apple’s SAN solution using Xsan with Xserve RAID delivers these benefits in film and
video editing environments:
• Concurrent access to source files. Multiple editors can work from the same source
media concurrently, without ever having to transfer these files between stations. Each
Mac accesses shared files on the SAN as though the storage were directly attached.
File-level locking ensures that only one station at a time can modify the contents of
the file.
• Consistent high-bandwidth performance. Xsan is designed for demanding applica-
tions where guaranteed rate of bandwidth must be maintained, such as ingesting
video or audio data from tape to a digital storage system without frame drops. Using
Fibre Channel technology, Xsan delivers consistent high-bandwidth performance.
For finer-grained control, included Xsan APIs enable critical applications to reserve
bandwidth for file system operations.
High-bandwidth RAID architecture
With a video-optimized architecture and
dual independent 2-Gbps Fibre Channel
interfaces, Xserve RAID provides the fast,
consistent performance required for video
post-production. It delivers up to 380-MBps
sustained throughput—enough for work-
ing in HD video or supporting multiple
streams of uncompressed SD video with
real-time effects.
Bandwidth requirements
A SAN allows editors to work well within
the bandwidth required per video stream
for various common editing formats.
• Standard definition:
– 3.6 MBps for MiniDV, DVCAM, and
DVCPRO
– 7.7 MBps for DVCPRO 50
– 20 MBps for uncompressed 8-bit
– 27 MBps for uncompressed 10-bit
• Compressed high definition:
– 5.8–14 MBps for DVCPRO HD
• Uncompressed high definition:
– 46 MBps for 720p 24 fps
– 50 MBps for 720p 30 fps
– 100 MBps for 720p 60 fps
– 98 MBps for 1080 24p (8-bit)
– 120 MBps for 1080i (8-bit)
– 110 MBps for 1080 24p (10-bit)
– 165 MBps for 1080i (10-bit)
Fibre Channel switch
SAN volume
Metadata controller
Stream media and share files over
the network using Mac OS X Server.
Post-Production SAN