Information Technology Fundamentals – Using Shared Storage

Using Shared Storage

The term "shared storage" refers to a system where numerous computers or users can store their data, typically data that is vast in size or of high quality. If you think about it, proper memory management could end up saving you a lot of time and money. Similar to how Google Play serves its consumer consumers, everything in shared storage may be accessed by multiple individuals at once. Some examples of shared storage are:

NAS: Storage servers with additional network connectivity are known as NAS systems. The use of Nas calls for both internet and LAN access (LAN). Multiple hard disks, arranged in a RAID array, are needed to meet this need. With Nas, you have access to all of the data it stores. To ensure that you have a copy of your data at all times, you can set permissions and replicate it. Only one flaw can be found in Nas. Compared to other options in the market, NAS is too slow due to its complex design. On the subject of scalability, NAS shared storage solutions don't offer much.

SAN: Data is sent to disk arrays in a Storage Area Network (SAN) with the aid of a network controller and metadata controller. Block-level network connectivity is available at high speeds on this system. A group of blocks from a shared system is what we call a logical disk unit (LUN). When it comes to shared storage, SAN has a 66 % market share. They are highly available and fault tolerant because they are built to avoid relying on any one component. By nature, SANs are highly reliable since they can survive the loss of several devices without compromising service. But their infrastructure is complicated, consisting of hosts, switches, storage devices, and elements. It employs several storage topologies and technologies, and its data is spread out across several different physical locations.

RAD: Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) is an array of disks designed to withstand failure. Data is stored on many disks using RAID, which is also used by SAN and NAS devices. In the event that you had four drives and two of them are copies of the other, you would have four copies of the identical data. Then you decide to store them apart from one another. A RAID array ensures that you will not lose all of your data if a single disk dies, even if some of the data was not replicated.

Working Operation of Shared Storage Options

VFX and post-production teams typically work with editing software that requires shared storage spaces. Instead of passing around unreliable physical storage devices like flash drives, teams may access and collaborate on the same platform in real time. When working with multiple operating systems, it is much easier to manage editing, digital audio workstations, and shared storage systems as part of a shared workflow.

There is a transfer library to facilitate collaboration among teams using the same software; for instance, Final Cut Pro X. Once editors have finished with their individual copies of the shared storage, the projects from the transfer library are compiled into the Master library. Another common third party that allows for remote teamwork and file sharing is called Post lab.

When using Adobe Premiere, sharing and collaboration are most successful when used by smaller groups. It facilitates simultaneous editing by a team. In order to facilitate networking for television series or high-end production, the team is working toward merging timelines.

Information no longer needs to be gathered from a wide variety of technological sources. Sharing data reduces the amount of time you'll be without it in the event of an emergency or data loss. You can rest assured that your data will be safe even if one of the servers fails. Powering up virtual machines that can help transfer data from the damaged server to a functional server is one method of data recovery. The shared storage solution can be used by a large number of people simultaneously to reap the benefits of pooled resources.

If you don't know what your company needs, then a shared storage solution won't help you. Video editing workflows can benefit from ProMAX Systems' lightning-fast and intuitive shared storage solutions. The platform's convenient centralization and easy collaboration make it ideal for video teams of any size.

Benefits of Using a Cloud-Based Storage Service

Many different technologies exist to facilitate file sharing, including flash drives, hard disks, the cloud, cloud storage, cloud computing, and many others. Using a central repository eliminates the need for people to be physically present, which is an enormous time saver. Here's how collaborative storage benefits video editors of any size:

Some major advantages of communal data storage include:

• One will no longer have to store the same data on multiple hard drives or make multiple copies of the same document. This can help you save both time and money by reducing the need to copy, move, and relink. In this scenario, you not only save money on storage space, but you also reap the benefits of fewer redundancies in your home-grown data center.
• When multiple users have access to the same storage space, it simplifies the process of managing their individual files. There is only one copy that you will be responsible for. No more need to manually index multiple files and sift through them to find the footage you need. Everything is kept in one convenient location, where it can be quickly and easily located.
• In addition to being able to access and stream multiple high-quality 4k videos simultaneously, shared storage also allows you to access and stream multiple videos simultaneously. Subsequently, large files that are accessed by many users no longer slow down and become simple to manage. Dissimilar to local ethernet connections, there is no lag or interruption caused by congestion. Transfer rates of 90–100 MB per second are possible for high-quality videos, but delays are to be expected with extremely large files.
• Sharing data across a network improves teamwork in a workflow. Problems associated with copying files, having insufficient storage space, and similar technical and physical constraints are not an issue.
• Likewise, a storage solution that excels at what it does will be more scalable. As it grows in size, it does so in a linear fashion, with zero downtime.
• To store information efficiently and dependably is the responsibility of a shared storage system. Some of the advanced data features that can be used now are thin provisioning, compression, erasure coding, TRIM/DISCARD, and zeroes detection. The total solution cost of this package is less than that of competing options, and yet it provides a superior storage solution.