SAN/NAS decisions from Raidtec

By Vladimir Shatin, Vladimir Zontov

Review contents:

Data storage systems for TV Application technology of the uniform disk arrays from Avid Technology Decisions of Ehance Tech company SANStream from Huge Systems DriveBox from JC System Integration VelocityQ and Storage Area Networks (SAN) Network decisions from Medea Palladium architecture SAN/NAS decisions from Raidtec Network storage decisions of Sanbolic Company Storage in the broadcast environment

Raidtec Company is the recognized leader in the field of development and production of various systems of storage SAN and NAS on the basis of the Fiber Channel technology.

Raidtec FiberArray

The basic component of SAN-decisions Raidtec is Raidtec FiberArray i. e. disk arrays on the basis of the SCSI-disks, distinguished by exclusive failure-resistance, productivity, scalability and simplicity of handling.

Basic features of the Raidtec FiberArray are the following:

• Simultaneous work with users of Win, UNIX and Mac;
• Interfaces 10/100 Ethernet, Ultra2 SCSI, Serial Port, Fiber Channel, Gigabit;
• Administration of a server on LAN;
• Support of various levels RAID (0, 1, 5 and 10);
• Data- rate up to 800 MB/sec;
• Flexible, easily updated structure on base of Fiber Channel or SCSI-disks (the general volume up to 34 TB);
• Opportunity of replacement of failed disks and power supply units in a “hot” mode (without switching-off of a supply);
• Automatic redundant copying of the array configuration and the data;
• Full integration with other decisions (software and hardware) from Raidtec for organization of SAN, NAS, SAS;
• Convenient LCD-panel.

Raidtec NAS

Raidtec disk arrays

Alongside with problems of operative processing of video materials (news, production of a new program, editing of serials) not less important is a problem of storage and use of archive of a broadcasting company. Here the data volumes are much more, but the number of references to them is much less. Therefore use of fast arrays of hard disks for storage of all information is economically unjustified. For the decision of this problem the slower, but less expensive network decisions NAS (Network Attached Storage) have being coming.

In this area Raidtec offers the SNAZ E0/E4/E6/R6 servers. These devices are completely realized the ideology of NAS (Network Attached Storage. They are connected to a local network (as a rule, Ethernet), enabling all users to work with them. Servers SNAZ E0/E4/E6/R6 are realized on the basis of the common ATA-disks (up to six), than the low cost of devices is caused. The volume of some models SNAZ may be raised by their connection to SAN systems on base of Fiber Cannel.

Let’s consider the NAS-server SNAZ S8 of Raidtec Company.

SNAZ Z8

The device is made in a compact (2U) cabinet, is provided by 8 compartments for disks such as Serial-ATA (for today it is 2400 GB) with an opportunity of “hot” replacement. Depending on prospective server loading the installation of one or two Intel Xeon processors is possible.

The server works under the control of operational system SNAZ OS (development of company Raidtec) which is loaded from the built-in Flash-memory that allows to speed up the loading process and to remove one of principal causes of failures: failure of a system disk. The server may “carry onboard” up to two ports Gigabit Ethernet. There is also the opportunity of its optional equipping by two interfaces Fiber Channel. For connection of the expansion units (12 disks each) or reserve copying there is external interface U160-SCSI.

Control is carried out or remotely through the Web-interface, or locally through built-in port RS-232.

The software of servers NAS of SNAZ series completely allows to satisfy the requirements of a broadcasting company at work with a file server, thus relieving from necessity the operational system to administer. Modules are included in delivery with the built-in RAID-array for reserve copying and support of network protocols, and also the application on the basis of the company own technology Snapshot. The latter allows to have actual copies of logic disks on a NAS-server and to work with them. About 25 images of logic disks on one server NAS are supported.

Such array is convenient for using both as capacious file server in a network, and as one of elements in hierarchical system of storage. This file can be applied as:

• High-speed array for layout of the materials used at present;
• SLOW, but a capacious array for storage of frequently inquired materials;
• Archival storehouse of materials with relatively large time of access (about several minutes) for seldom inquired materials and reserve copying.

With the storage space equal to some hundred hours at low or average system network loading on the basis of scalable NAS-servers may be used as the reliable, convenient and simple decision for the organization of storage of video materials into a broadcasting company.

“Virtualization of data storage” technology

In process of growth of a broadcasting company, increase of workplaces and volume of stored materials there is frequently a situation when, having the high-efficiency network Fiber Channel uniting the storages, working in SAN network, the ordinary employee, nevertheless, is compelled to be content by only small part of the general resources. So, an editor works with own disc server, a video server also works with own server, and an archive manages by own storages. For cross access it is necessary to start not only the additional applications but also to remember, where and that may be located.

In such cases there may be irreplaceable the representation of all storages as uniform virtual space of the data. Internal redistribution of streams thus is latent from the user. both the disk arrays and NAS servers, and the “slow” devices, such as DVD or tape libraries may be presented as parts of this distributed storehouse. Such data presentation refers to as “virtualization”.

For realization of such approach it is possible to use any standard servers with the managing software, which in any case should be present at SAN network. But more correct can count the use of the specialized devices named virtualizators. Company Raidtech is produced virtualizator SNAZ SVA. On a hardware-software level this device realizes the integration of all accessible storages in uniform virtual pool of storages (Virtual Storage Pool), which is submitted to the user as a uniform array. And besides the virtualization function the SNAZ SVA is distributed the streams inside SAN: it is processed inquiries from client workplaces and is directed the data streams from the storage directly to the user. With a view of rising of general failure-resistance of the systems there is an opportunity of duplication of virtualization devices. Network workability is not broken even in case of failure of the single SVAZ SVA.

SNAZ SVA may work with all most widespread operational systems (Windows, Linux, Netware, Solaris and so on) and with the equipment of the leading manufacturers (Raidtec FiberArray, Xiotech, EMC/CLARiiON/Symmetrix, Compaq, Hitachi Data Systems, Sun, StorageTek, Dell, LSI). The SNAZ SVA control may be carried out as locally, and from the remote workplace through the web-interface.

Software from Raidtec Company

Besides hardware, the Raidtec company is also the designer of the software for the data storage systems. The company offers a full software range for the decision of various tasks:

• SANfinity is the software for the centralized control of the Raidtec array connected to the general network. Connection of SANfinity server with arrays is carried out through interface Fiber Channel or Ethernet (optional);
• Fc Replicator is the software for mirroring of the data which are located on different arrays, connected by FC (arrays may be removed from each other on distance up to 10 km);
• Fc Access is the software, allowing to operate by several arrays and networks of storage Raidtec, realizing the virtualizator technology;
• Snaz InstaView is the software for control of servers SNAZ SV, allowing an operation by access of various users to the same data stored in virtual pool. Besides SNAZ InstaView allows to solve the problem of reserve copying and a data recover.

Additional equipment

In addition to the disk arrays described above and software the Raidtec company delivers a full spectrum of the peripheral equipment for creation of systems and networks of storage and distribution of media data (routers Fiber Channel and iSCSI, hubs, switchboards, converters FC-to-SCSI etc.).

Material provided by JC System Integration Company
and System Video Graphics Alliance Company