Xsanity

OS X Server Administration Event Next Week - $200 Off From Xsanity

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:50:06 EDT

By: jazminhupp

Xsanity will be at the MacTech OS X Server Administration event in NYC next week. Not in New York? With 15 events all around the U.S., there's one coming to your region. MacTech events are one-day conferences aimed at Mac IT professionals.

Get $200 off plus a free subscription to MacTech magazine by registering through this link: http://www.mactech.com/events/locations?rid=Tekserve

Make sure you stop by Tekserve's table for a free gift.

Final Cut Pro X: Xsan Best Practices

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:09:05 EST

By: jfw

Today Apple posted a short white paper "Final Cut Pro X: Xsan Best Practices."

KB article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5084
White paper: http://images.apple.com/finalcutpro/docs/Final_Cut_Pro_X_Xsan_Best_Practices.pdf

Excerpt from the intro:

This document is designed to help you determine the best way of working with a SAN, such as Xsan, to speed up creative work and eliminate copying files across networks or hand-carrying hard drives on multiuser projects.
Two common scenarios are described below.
The first scenario sets up Final Cut Pro X for multiple users who will share a single project and Event, with editing access limited to one user at a time. This is essentially a �check-in/check out� workflow�for example, two editors on day and night shifts, or an offline editor who hands off the rough cut to another editor in a finishing suite.
The second scenario sets up Final Cut Pro X for two workstations sharing the same media simultaneously. For example, one workstation might act as the media-importing station and as a secondary edit station. The other workstation might be used for editing only. In this scenario, both workstations can access and edit the same original imported media stored on the SAN volume.

As far as I can tell, this is just a description of how best to use the Xsan support added in 10.0.1. I don't see that 10.0.2 or 10.0.3 have any special features that are leveraged here.

The Xsan support described is pretty simple and not very different from that of Final Cut Pro 7 and prior versions.

Basically, Final Cut Pro X relies on an Event database that it must have exclusive write access to. It is located in a folder, usually with its related media, and can reside anywhere on the SAN (not just in a root folder) as long as it's not nested within another Event folder.

Solution 1, sharing a single project and Event, is done by using and writing the event and project to a single folder location on Xsan (initiated by the File menu command "Add SAN Location"). When one editor uses the File menu "Remove SAN Location" command, or quits FCP X, the project is closed, and the Event database is released and made available to another editor to open and have exclusive write access to. So there will be just one project file, which can be used by only one editor at a time.

Solution 2, sharing media, is done by each editor having their own event folder (with its own event database) on Xsan. The second editor will point at media in the first editor's folder, but will use the media by reference instead of by copying it to their own event folder. Each editor will have their own project file.

In a nutshell, the white paper makes it clear how to enable the limited functionality available. Unfortunately, what is telling is what is not addressed:

You can share media in a single location, but you can't have multiple editors ingesting to the same location. (You could with FCP 7, if you were careful about file names.)
You can't share a single project at one time (one person editing video, and one person editing audio within the same project storyline).
You can't ingest media and have it automatically pop up in another editor's workspace (as Avid has done for years).
When you share media, there is no sharing of metadata you may add to the media within your own event database. Markers, keywords, collections, etc., are all visible only to one editor, no matter who may be sharing the media.

So it's nice to see this documented, but unfortunately there do not seem to be any magical new capabilities for advanced sharing capabilities revealed. Time to get those feature requests in!

FCmeter Plus From Vicom

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:14:52 EST

By: cedge318

Vicom has introduced FCmeter Plus, a new Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter with Vmeter built in. What's sexy about QoS management for Xsan built into an 8 Gigabit Fibre Channel connection? Vmeter can limit workstation I/O for some clients, reserving bandwidth for others. Vmeter also gives us administrators logging and troubleshooting options with greater detail than we would have simply looking at our switches and logs for clients. Now, by unloading the work that Vmeter was doing onto a card, the whole process is a little more streamlined. If you haven't checked it out yet, look at http://www.vicom.com/FCmeter-Plus.php.

Xsan + SNFS: Capitalization May Lead to Data Loss

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:53:00 EST

By: aaron

Apple has posted a knowledge base article warning that a specific combination of Xsan client and a StorNext controllers may lead to data loss. The entire article is below.

Xsan 2.3: Update to StorNext SNFS v4.2.1 controller to avoid data loss issue

Symptoms

Xsan 2.3 clients (running OS X Lion or Lion Server v10.7.2 or earlier) that access filesystems hosted by controllers that use StorNext SNFS version 4.2.0 may experience data loss when renaming files on StorNext-hosted volumes.

A file may be unexpectedly deleted when renamed to a new name which differs only in the capitalization of the letters; for example, when changing "test" to "TEST".

Resolution

Update all StorNext FS controllers from version 4.2.0 to 4.2.1 or later.
Perform an orderly restart of all StorNext filesystems:

Unmount any StorNext volumes from all clients on the SAN.
Stop the StorNext volumes.
Start the StorNext volumes.
Mount those volumes on Xsan client systems once again.
Verify that the issue no longer occurs when renaming files.

Additional Information

This issue does not affect earlier Xsan client systems or SNFS software versions other than 4.2.0.

CatDV Installation Checklist

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:16:45 EST

By: cedge318

A number of organizations are looking at what to do now that Final Cut Server is no longer being sold by Apple. There are a lot more options to handle Digital Asset Management than there were when Final Cut Server was initially introduced, and each should be reviewed based on all the requirements your organization has. 318 has been doing a lot of work with CatDV recently and as such, we are starting to build a large library of assets for the product (scripts, SOPs, etc). We have built a checklist for the installation and planning of a CatDV asset management system. The checklist is a quick guide to server installation, worker nodes, client configuration, using SSL, watch folders, conditions, queries, conversations and processing. To download the paper, see the TechJournal at: http://techjournal.318.com/xsan/318-catdv-installation-checklist CatDV is only one of the many options that you have regarding asset management. But in many respects it is the product most closely aligned with Final Cut Server both in functionality and price. Nothing would make me happier than this thread resulting in other experiences with other products, so I look forward to what I hope is a lively discussion on this!

Active Storage Announces mMedia

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:40:13 EST

By: aaron

Mac-focused storage manufacturer Active Storage today announced mMedia -- a new "storage platform" -- complemented by two products: mRAID, an 8Gbps 3U RAID array; and mVault, a high-density 4U JBOD. Active has published a brochure on the platform on their web site.

mRAID

We are in touch with Active on this announcement. Please post any questions to our forums. We'll try to get answers today.

Promise Releases New x30 Firmware

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:36:00 EST

By: keithkoby

Earlier this month, Promise released updated firmware for the VTrak x30 for mac. The new release version is ~~4.06.0000.01~~ 10.10.2270.01. It is the first upgrade made available by promise for the new "made for mac" strain of their VTrak storage line.

Here is a list of "What's New":

Added support for cascading 9 JBOD expansion chassis
Performance improvements supporting larger command queue depth
Enhanced performance for low queue depths
Enhanced support for topology switching (from NL-Port to N-Port)
Added greater than 2.1TB drive support
Added support for migration using NVRAM watermark
Security enhancements for embedded web management server
Added Target Port based LUN Mapping & Masking
Enhanced online array roaming configurations to support VTrak x10 configurations
Added support for Daylight Savings Time start/end for the southern hemisphere
Added separate LUN Affinity and ALUA setting
Enhanced thermal event reporting
Enhanced error recovery conditions for Failover/Failback conditions, JBOD hot insert/remove and FC line disconnections

You can download the new firmware from Promise's support page.

Xsan compatibility with ActiveSAN

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:43:02 EDT

By: aaron

Apple today (well, tomorrow, technically) posted a terse knowledge base article confirming compatibility of Xsan 2 clients with ActiveSAN MDCs.

Xsan version ActiveSAN 1.0
Xsan 2.1.1 √
Xsan 2.2, 2.2.1, 2.2.2 √
Xsan 2.3 √

It's not every day that Apple brings a new manufacturer into the fold. Congratulations, Active Storage!

Promise begins shipping its SANLink Thunderbolt to 4GB FC Adapter

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 21:55:02 EDT

By: aaron

Promise today announced availability of its Thunderbolt-to-Fiber Channel adapter. The long awaited adapter, previewed at NAB, allows recent model MacBooks, iMacs and Mac minis to access direct-attached enterprise storage and even Xsan. (So, OK. You need to be creative if you are using a separate metadata Ethernet network like 98% of us.)

The device runs for $799, and is sold by many Promise resellers, including Tekserve and the Apple Web Store.

Final Cut Pro X 10.0.1 adds nine new features.

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:31:19 EDT

By: aaron

Not bad for a .0.1 update. The announcements lists these features:

Media Stems Export
Rich XML Support
Custom Starting Timecode
Full-screen View in Lion
One-step Transitions on Connected Clips
GPU-accelerated export
New Theme: Tribute
Camera Import SDK
Projects and Events on Xsan

About the Xsan support, Apple notes:

Create and edit your Final Cut Pro X projects and Events on Xsan. Ideal for multi-user workflows, you can import media through Final Cut Pro X and place it directly on the SAN. Multiple users can access the same source media, and each editor can create separate projects and Events on the SAN. Users can then edit from any system attached to the SAN, making it easy to move between computers and continue working.

So no shared timelines (wait! no timelines at all! I forgot.), but it sounds like the same Xsan support in prior versions of FCP.

Finally, and this is the first time I remember Apple doing this, they pre-announced two features. "Coming in early 2012: Multicam Editing, Broadcast-Quality Video Monitoring."

Factorial releases ClipTouch 1.2 with Lion Support

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:38:53 EDT

By: Factorial

Wellington based Factorial Ltd released ClipTouch 1.2, an update to their Final Cut Server client for the iPad. ClipTouch connects directly to any Final Cut Server without requiring any additional configuration, and lets you browse, share, collaborate, and present your media assets in a totally new way. Browse, review and approve your video assets, taking advantage of the mobility of the iPad, and its unique MultiTouch interface.

ClipTouch also supports playback of audio files including MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV and more. ClipTouch includes built-in preview of iPad-supported image and document types including PDF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, Camera RAW, iWork, Microsoft Office, CSV, TXT, RTF and more. ClipTouch also allows you to send documents and images to other apps on your iPad.

New in ClipTouch 1.2 is support for Final Cut Server deployed under OS X Lion or Lion Server. Also ClipTouch 1.2 now authenticates directly to Final Cut Server without the need for an external authentication helper service or internet access.

Please note that although Final Cut Server installs under Lion, neither the Final Cut Server Java Client, nor ClipTouch can authenticate without making some configuration changes on your server.Factorial has published a brief guide on how to install Final Cut Server on Lion and offers support and consultancy for transitioning existing deployments.

For enterprise deployment Factorial offers ClipTouch Pro, a customised version displaying your custom metadata, and branded for your organization.

Xsan 2.2.2 Update for Snow Leopard

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:24:51 EDT

By: ogminlo

Apple posted a minor update to Xsan for Snow Leopard today, version 2.2.2. From the release notes:

The Xsan 2.2.2 Filesystem Update is recommended for all Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard-based Xsan 2.2 systems. This update improves general file system reliability and

improves file system reliability when the filesystem is highly fragmented

improves file system reliability when unmounting a volume

improves file system reliability when running snfsdefrag

improves file system reliability when native extended attributes are enabled

improves Finder reliability when browsing a volume that is highly fragmented

allows Xsan Admin to create new volumes when more than 100 fsm processes are running

The compatibility matrices for Xsan, StorNext, and Grass Valley K2 MDCs have also been updated to reference the update.

Xsan 2.3 remains a Lion exclusive.

The Inconvenient Truth: An Online Video Demystifying Final Cut Pro X

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:59:49 EDT

By: aaron

Think FCPX is just for making skateboard videos? Think again. In this special Tekserve event, presented by Evan Schechtman of @radical.media and Outpost Digital, and co-sponsored by Manhattan Edit Workshop, we took a look at the history of digital video editing�with a particular focus on Apple's Final Cut Pro X, and how this just-released software sets the foundation for the industry's next big revolution.

This is a great intro to FCPX for power users, and worth the hour duration. Watch it full screen and high res!

We're proud to be able to bring this to you. As the sponsor of Xsanity, Tekserve provides unparalleled professional support, consulting, and installation services for the latest hardware and software. Call or email today to schedule a consultation: pro@tekserve.com or 212 381-6363

Not All Thunderbolts Created Equal

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:20:08 EDT

By: ogminlo

Anandtech looks at how the new MacBook Air uses a scaled back Thunderbolt controller versus the other Macs that include the bus. Of note, the chips in the other Macs have four 10Gbps duplex channels each, meaning there is already more bandwidth baked in than advertised.

Xsan 2.3 Knowledge Base Articles for Lion

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:56:29 EDT

By: aaron

Xsan 2.3 was released this morning -- as a component of Lion. To commemorate this event, Apple published several KB articles. Check them out below:

As always, we encourage patience and research before upgrading your Xsan!

Xsan version	ActiveSAN 1.0
Xsan 2.1.1	√
Xsan 2.2, 2.2.1, 2.2.2	√
Xsan 2.3	√