Avid NEXIS® Client Manager Installation and User’s Guide Version 2018.
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Contents Using This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Who Should Use This Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Symbols and Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 If You Need Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Configuring Red Hat Linux Client Network Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Configuring CentOS Linux Client Network Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 10-Gb and 40-Gb Network Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Configuring Client Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Chapter 3 Using Avid Client Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Using This Guide The Avid NEXIS® media network provides a high-performance distributed file system that contains high-capacity shared media storage for workgroups of connected Avid editing workstations. This user’s guide describes how to connect your client system to the media network, mount workspaces, and configure your system for best performance. Unless noted otherwise, the material in this document applies to the Windows®, Mac OS®, and Linux® operating systems.
Symbol or Convention Meaning or Action (Windows), (Windows only), (Macintosh), or (Macintosh only) This text indicates that the information applies only to the specified operating system, either Windows or Macintosh OS X. Bold font Bold font is primarily used in task instructions to identify user interface items and keyboard sequences. Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to indicate variables. Courier Bold font Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.
For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications, courseware, and books, please visit www.avid.com/support and follow the Training links, or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).
1 Network Adapter and Driver Installation Before installing the Avid NEXIS Client software, make sure you have the appropriate network adapter and driver installed, and adjust any settings. See the Avid NEXIS ReadMe for details. For the correct network adapter slot locations for client systems qualified with Avid NEXIS, see the Avid Configuration Guidelines and Slot Configurations Knowledge Base article, and select the platform you have or are considering.
Myricom (CSPi) 10-Gb Network Adapter and Driver The Myricom® 10-Gb Ethernet adapter is qualified on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux operating systems for Avid ultra-high resolution editing clients (UHRC). These 10-Gb clients connect to the 10-Gb port of the switch. n The Myricom 10-Gb Ethernet driver is automatically installed on Linux clients when you install the NEXIS Linux Client software. For 10-Gb editing clients, use the Ultra High Resolution setting in the Client Manager Preferences.
For slot information, see the Avid Configuration Guidelines and Slot Configurations. 3. Double-click the appropriate Myri10GE-xx.dmg file to mount the file. Follow the on-screen instructions. 4. Double-click the installer package to run the installer. 5. Install the Myricom driver following the default prompts. 6. Install the Avid NEXIS client software; see “Installing Client Software (Mac)” on page 8. 7. Restart the client to finish the installation. 8.
2 Avid NEXIS Client Manager Installation To install the Avid NEXIS client software on your system you must have a user account with Administrator privileges. Client Software Installation If you already have a previous version of the Avid NEXIS or ISIS Client software installed, uninstall it before installing the new version. You can install the Client software from the Management Console or the Avid NEXIS Installer kit. You can also copy the client installers to a USB flash drive to take to each client.
t t On Mac clients, run the uninstaller located in Applications, Avid_Uninstallers, AvidNEXIS. The uninstaller allows you to save your remote host and network interface settings. Even if you select this option, Avid recommends checking them after installing the new Client software and reapplying them as needed.
To unmount the Avid NEXIS installer volume on a Mac client: 1. Locate the mounted volumes listed in the left pane of the Finder window. 2. Select the volume that contains “Avid NEXIS” in the name. 3. Do one of the following: t Right-click the volume and select eject. t Drag the volume to the Trash in the dock and it will eject. Installing Client Software (Linux) The Avid NEXIS Linux client supports both red Hat and CentOS.
Configuring Network Profiles and Firewalls When enabled, some firewall settings on Avid NEXIS clients prevent you from connecting to the Avid NEXIS environment. The following sections describe where the network profiles settings are located in the Client Manager software. n If you are not sure which firewall profile to use with Windows clients, enable all three Profiles under Windows Firewall settings. This ensures that the Avid NEXIS clients work in all firewall configurations.
Mac Support and Firewall You can use any of the onboard Ethernet ports on the Mac system to connect to the media network. For a list of supported Mac systems, see the Avid NEXIS ReadMe. n See the documentation provided with your Mac system for the exact location of the Ethernet port. Some firewall settings on Mac clients prevent you from connecting to the Avid NEXIS environment when enabled.
To connect to the Avid NEXIS or ISIS network: 1. Do one of the following: t (Windows) If the Client Manager icon is not available in the Windows taskbar, select Start, All Programs, Avid, Avid NEXIS Client, Avid NEXIS Client Manager. t (Windows) Click the Client Manager icon in the Windows taskbar. t (Windows) Right-click the Client Manager icon and select Avid NEXIS Client Manager.
Icon Status Client is connected to one or more Avid NEXIS or ISIS systems, but there are no mounted workspaces. Client is connected to one or more Avid NEXIS or ISIS systems, and there are one or more mounted workspaces. Indicates a connection error. If you hover the mouse cursor over the tray icon, a tooltip containing additional information appears: Changing Your Password You can change the password you use to log on to your Avid NEXIS or ISIS user account.
6. For confirmation, type the password again in the Confirm New Password text box. 7. Click the green check mark to apply the changes or click the red X to close the dialog box without any changes. Opening the Management Console from the Client Manager You can open the Avid NEXIS or ISIS Management Console from the Client Manager window after you have connected to an Avid NEXIS or ISIS system.
4. Click Add. The Input dialog box opens. 5. Click Add. n The Client Manager user interface can take up to 30 seconds to display changes made in the Remote Host Settings. 6. Click the green check mark to apply the settings or the red X to close the dialog box without any changes. To remove a System Director from the Remote Hosts list: t Select the System Director name and click Remove. To remove all System Director names from the Remote Hosts list: t Click Clear.
Option Description Windows Firewall (Windows) Enables the firewall profile configurations used in your Avid NEXIS or ISIS shared storage network: domain network, public network, or private network 4. Click the green check mark to apply the settings or the red X to close the dialog box without any changes.
Configuring the Client Network Properties Before you can connect your clients to the Avid NEXIS network, configure the network properties on each client. n If your Avid NEXIS network includes a DHCP server, clients can automatically obtain IP addresses. Assign static IP addresses on your Ethernet clients only if you do not have a DHCP server. Windows Client Network Properties To configure the Ethernet port on your Windows clients: 1. Click Start and type ncpa.cpl in the Search text box. 2.
8. (Optional) If connecting to a corporate network or outside the Avid NEXIS or ISIS subnet, add the Default gateway and DNS server addresses. See your corporate administrator for the Default gateway and DNS server addresses. 9. Click OK to close each of the open dialog boxes and save the changes. Configuring Mac Client Network Properties To configure the Ethernet port on your Mac clients: 1. Click System Preferences in the Dock. 2. Click Network. 3. Select the Ethernet port in the left pane. 4.
Configuring Red Hat Linux Client Network Properties To configure the Ethernet port on your Red Hat Linux clients: 1. Click System, Preferences, Network Connections. 2. Click the Wired tab (selected by default). 3. Select the network connection and click Edit. 4. Click the IPv4 Setting tab. 5. Configure the adapter’s addressing (method, address, netmask and so on) according to the connection plan for your facility. 6. If you have made changes, click Apply.
6. If you have made changes, click Apply.
3. Make sure your Avid NEXIS or ISIS Ethernet network connection is selected. If applicable, verify that the 10-Gb network adapter appears in the network interfaces list and is the only interface selected. 4. Click the green check mark to apply the settings or the red X to close the dialog box without any changes.
3 Using Avid Client Manager The Avid NEXIS Client Manager allows a client system to connect to an Avid NEXIS or ISIS network. The Client Manager runs in the background so you can mount and access your workspaces at any time, as well as manage your workspaces and bandwidth reservations. On Windows clients an icon appears in the System Tray in the lower right corner of your desktop. On Mac clients, an icon appears in the dock.
Callout Description 2 Systems list — Lists all available and connected Avid NEXIS or ISIS systems 3 System bandwidth area — Displays bandwidth settings (hidden by default), display setting is in the General Preference Setting dialog window 4 Workspaces list — Lists all workspaces available on connected Avid NEXIS or ISIS systems. For more information, see “Workspace Display” on page 32.
Button Name Location Function(Continued) English Language Setting Client Manager toolbar Select the language displayed in the Client Manager window. The following languages are available.
Button Name Location Function(Continued) (none) System Login dialog Applies to Windows clients only.
Button Name Location Function(Continued) Delete Various Client Manager dialog boxes Deletes an item in the selected dialog box (for example, deletes a selected remote host) Apply Various Client Manager dialog boxes Applies settings or changes made in the open dialog box Close Various Client Manager dialog boxes Closes the open dialog box. Any changes that were not applied revert back to the last saved settings.
n t (Windows) — Right-click the Client Manager icon and select Avid NEXIS Client Manager. t (Mac) — Select Go, Applications, and then double-click the AvidNEXIS folder. In this folder, double-click the NEXISClientManager.app file. t (Linux) — Click Applications, System Tools and select Avid NEXIS Client Manager. To add the Client Manager launcher icon to the panel or desktop on a Red Hat Linux client, click Applications, System Tools.
Closing and Exiting the Client Manager Closing and exiting (quitting) the Client Manager are two separate operations. Closing the Client Manager window closes the window only; the Client Manager continues running in the background, and any connections to Avid NEXIS or ISIS systems remain connected, and Workspaces remain mounted. Exiting (quitting) the Client Manager gives you the option to unmount Workspaces and closes the Client Manager interface.
n Selecting this option will override the current drive mapping option settings for the selected workspace. For more information on drive letter assignments, see “Configuring Workspace Mount Points (Windows)” on page 30. The Client Manager mounts the selected workspace on your client and the Online icon for the mounted workspace changes to green. (Windows) The Workspaces list displays the drive the workspace is mounted on.
The next time you log in to your client system, the Client Manager automatically mounts the selected workspace. To unmount an Avid NEXIS or ISIS workspace on your system: 1. Open the Client Manager. The Workspaces list opens. The Online field displays a green icon for workspaces that are already mounted. You can filter the Workspaces list by Workspace name. 2. Do one of the following: t Select a workspace and click the Unmount Selected Workspace button. t Right-click on the workspace and select Unmount.
If you manage your lettered or UNC workspace mounts outside of the Client Manager application (for example, Map Network Drives) you can create multiple mount points to the same workspace. Client Manager will display the multiple mounts properly. To configure the drive letter for mounting workspaces: 1. Open the Client Manager (see “Using Avid Client Manager” on page 22). 2. Select a workspace from the Workspace list. 3.
Workspace Display The Workspaces list provides the following information: • Name of the shared storage system hosting the Workspace • Workspace name • If mounted, shows the drive letter (Windows), UNC path, or mount point for the mounted workspace.
- Right-click in the Workspace list, and select Retrieve Details, All Workspaces. Additional details are retrieved for all workspaces. Differences in Workspace Size Display Between ISIS and Avid NEXIS On ISIS systems and clients, size is calculated and displayed in binary numbers (base 2, or multiples of 1024). In Avid NEXIS v6.0 and higher, space is calculated in decimal numbers (base 10, or multiples of 1000).
Workspace Sizes on Avid NEXIS Systems (v6.0 and Higher Client) Sorting the Display If the Workspaces list contains a large number of workspaces, you might want to sort the items in the list. To sort the Workspaces list: 1. Click on a field heading that you want to sort. A blue arrow appears next to the field heading. 2. Click the field heading again to reverse the sort order.
Bandwidth Reservations You can use the Client Manager to obtain a default bandwidth reservation; however, the reservation cannot exceed your system’s device limit or your client bandwidth limit, whichever is lower. (The administrator sets bandwidth limits in the Management Console, optionally based on the client type specified by the Client Manager.) Bandwidth limits are hidden by default; you can enable their display in the General Preferences settings dialog box; see “Workspace Display” on page 32.
4. Use the up/down buttons to select the number of streams you will need. 5. Select the type of stream from the list. There are several presets for various formats, as well as numeric bandwidth values. n If the selected bandwidth value exceeds the limits imposed either by the client type specified by the Client Manager or the reserved bandwidth value set in the Management Console, a warning symbol will appear next to the Total Rate value.
4. Click the red X to close the dialog box. Managing Logs and Messages The Client Manager keeps a log of information, warnings, and error messages. You can view the current log in the Messages section of the Client Manager window. You can also save a copy of the log, and you can clear the log maintained for the current work session. n The Client Manager clears all logs when you exit the application. To view Client Manager event logs: 1. Open the Client Manager.
4 Avid PathDiag Tool Avid PathDiag tool is a diagnostic utility that allows you to validate your Avid NEXIS storage group by quantifying the throughput of Windows or Mac editing applications accessing Avid NEXIS workspaces. The Avid PathDiag tool can also test the throughput from local storage elements and any other shared storage to which a client has access. n The Path Diag Tool provides basic diagnostics. For more robust tests and results, use the Avid Benchmark Utility.
PathDiag Tool Interface The primary user interface of PathDiag tool consists of a single window from which you can select the test to be performed, start and stop the selected test, and view the test results as the test progresses. You access auxiliary controls through dialog boxes. The callouts in the figure below are described in the following sections.
Item Description IOs Displays the current number of I/O operations that have been completed during the test Current Rate (MB/s) Displays the calculated throughput or bandwidth (in megabytes per second [MB/s]) for recent I/O operations that have been completed Average Rate (MB/s) Displays the average throughput or bandwidth (in megabytes per second) for the duration of the test Errors Displays the number of errors encountered during testing.
The Test Results graph plots results measured over time, which is particularly useful when you want to observe trends or patterns in performance. For example, if another process is running that creates a periodic high demand on the storage subsystem being tested, you might see a periodic drop in observed throughput in the Test Results graph.
2. Do the following: a. Choose a Test Name from the drop-down list. The predefined tests perform reads or writes at a bandwidth similar to that required for DV 25, DV 50, IMX 30, or low resolution operations. b. Select a path to the workspace to test, or enter it in the field. This can be a UNC path (for example, \\myMachine\myShareFolder\subfolder). c. Set the test duration in minutes (2, 5, or 10), and whether or not to loop the test indefinitely.
Parameter Description File Access Method PathDiag tool supports more than one interface or protocol for accessing data. This option allows you to control which interface is used. Choose one of the available settings: Reads vs Writes • Automatically select — PathDiag tool selects a protocol automatically for testing the selected path. Generally, the tool selects Win32 File API for the specified path. • Win32 File API — PathDiag tool uses the Win32 File API for its data file access.
Parameter Description(Continued) Use named common file for Reads This option changes the way that the Path to Test parameter is used, and the option is intended for advanced users only. When you select this option, the Path to Test parameter must specify a full path, including a file name. The test utility uses the named file for its Read tests. The utility creates the file if it does not exist and deletes it at the end of testing.
2. Select Network Connectivity Test from the File Access Method menu. The Network Hosts list displays the available systems in your network. 3. Type the host name or the IP address of the network system you want to test. 4. (Option) Set the Ping Data Buffer Size. The default buffer size is 8192 bytes, and the maximum buffer size is 64 KB. 5. Click OK. When you run the Network Connectivity test, results display in the Test Results graph area of the PathDiag tool.
Network Connectivity Results Category Description Source The IP address of the client system Target The host name and IP address of the target system Sent The number of packets sent Recv The number of packets received Lo RTT (ms) The minimum round-trip time (in milliseconds) Hi RTT (ms) The maximum round-trip time (in milliseconds) Avg RTT (ms) The average round-trip time (in milliseconds) Lo Hops The minimum number of forwarding routers in the path between the source and the target system
Also, if the throughput is slow as the test is starting, this might be reflected in the average rate. For example, if the target bandwidth is 4.0 MB/s, the actual average rate calculated at the conclusion of the test might be 3.98 or 3.99 MB/s. Performance Graph The graph of results over time can help experienced users obtain information about system performance.
5 NEXIS Log Utility The Avid NEXIS Log Utility, primarily used by Avid Customer Support, shows logging information for the Avid NEXIS client connection. This utility is installed with the Avid NEXIS client software and helps to diagnose client issues using a common user interface for Windows, Mac, and Linux clients. The Log Utility automatically compresses and timestamps continuous logs.
- Default — Use this profile if you are unsure of which profile to use. These logs capture general Avid NEXIS client problems. - Client Hang — Capture these logs if the editor stops while capturing, playing, consolidating, or transcoding to an Avid NEXIS Workspace, and you want to see if the unexplained client failure is associated to Avid NEXIS functions. Many of these failures could be an issue with the editor.
3. Click Load. The configuration for the selected Profile is loaded. n To view the test configuration that was loaded, click the Configure button. 4. Click “Current Settings” in the Tools section to change the configuration settings. 5. Select or deselect the changes you want in the Snapshot Options, Trace Buffer Filtering, and Continuous Logging sections of the window. 6. Click Browse to define where you want the log files to be saved or type in the new path. 7.
Index Numerics 10-Gb network adapter configuring as default connection 20 connection to Avid NEXIS engine 20 See also Myricom 10-Gb network adapter 40-Gb network adapter configuring as default connection 20 connection to Avid NEXIS engine 20 A Accessing Client Manager Help 34 Adding remote hosts 14 Administration tool See Management Console Adobe Flash Player 7 uninstalling 7 Auto Connect (to Avid NEXIS systems) 26 Auto Reserve (bandwidth reservations) 35 Auto-mounting Workspaces 28 Average rate (PathDiag
Index sorting display 34 starting hidden 15 uninstalling previous version 7 unmounting Workspaces 28 window 22 Windows Tray icon 12 Workspaces display 32 Client Manager display properties Client Type 15 Display Bandwidth in Bits Per Second 15 Enable Bandwidth Columns 15 Enable Bandwidth Dialog 35 letterless drive mappings 15 Measure Free Space In 15 Start Client Manager Hidden 15 UNC drive mapping 15 Client resolution 16 Client systems setting client type 16 Clients adding remote hosts 14 configuring 17 Cl
Index I I/Os (PathDiag tool) 39 Icons Client Manager 23 connection status 12 Installation Client Manager 7 options 8, 8, 9 Installing Intel drivers 4 Installing Client software Linux 9 Mac 8 Windows 8 Intel network adapter description 4 Intel network drivers installing 4 updating 4 Internet protocol Linux properties 19, 19 Mac properties 18 Windows client network properties 17 Interpreting PathDiag tool test results 46 L Letterless (UNC) drive mapping See mount points Linux client network properties 17 cl
Index custom tests 42 diagnostic tests 41 errors 40 File Access Protocol indicator 40 I/O Operation indicator 40 interface 39 interpreting results 46 logging test results 42 measurement strategy 46 messages area 39 Network Connectivity test 44 Peak Read or Peak Write MS/100 (Test Results graph) 41 performance graph 46 Recent Read or Recent Write (Test Results graph) 41 results area 39 Self-Test (File Access Protocol indicator) 40 settings area 39, 41 standard test 41 starting 38 starting tests 46 stopping
Index See also Microsoft Windows client network properties 17 dual 10-Gb connections 4 dual 1-Gb connections 4 fast user switching 11, 31 Firewall settings 16 installing Client software 8 Network and Sharing Center 10 network profiles 10 update 8 Workspaces Auto-Mount 28 bandwidth reservations 35 displaying details 32 drive mapping 30 filtering display 32 mount points 30 mounting 11, 28 retrieving details 32 size reporting on ISIS and NEXIS 33 sorting display 34 unmounting 28 55
Index 56
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