Project Description
Our client is a multi-site media production company specialising in corporate equipment hire and post-production video editing. With operations across Australia, they serve a wide range of private sector clients in need of high-performance video workflows and reliable data storage.
Their head office is the hub for all post-production work, where high-speed access to large video files is essential. As their business grew, so did the complexity of their storage and backup systems—leading to performance bottlenecks and workflow inefficiencies.
The client faced two major issues:
- Slow data access between video editing workstations and their primary storage system.
- Constant backup repository maintenance, with storage space frequently maxing out.
Their existing setup included:
- A Linux VM on a HP ProLiant server storing active projects.
- A MacPro Tower acting as a raw video content server with external drives.
- A Synology NAS and external USB drives for backups and archiving.
Staff were either editing directly over a slow gigabit network or manually copying files to and from local disks—wasting time and risking data integrity.
- Ultra-Fast Editing:
Fibre to the premise enabled seamless editing directly from shared storage—no more file copying or lag. - Centralised Storage:
All active projects and digital assets are now stored in a scalable, high-performance SAN. - Reliable Backup Infrastructure:
The new RackStation provides automated, redundant backups with minimal maintenance. - Scalability:
The system supports up to 16 fibre-connected workstations, with room to grow. - Improved Workflow:
Editors can now focus on creative work without worrying about storage limitations or data loss.
The Approach
Proactive IT Solutions was tasked with designing a solution that would:
- Enable high-speed editing directly from shared storage.
- Expand and simplify the backup infrastructure.
- Future-proof the system for scalability and reliability.
Given the client’s reliance on Apple hardware and workflows, we chose to build the solution around Apple Xsan, a shared storage system optimised for media production. To support the performance demands of Xsan, we implemented fibre to the premise (FTTP) connectivity—ensuring ultra-fast data transfer speeds and low latency across the network.
The Solution
Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) Backbone
FTTP was critical to the success of this deployment. By delivering fibre directly to the client’s head office, we eliminated the limitations of traditional copper-based networking and enabled the high-speed data access required for real-time video editing.
Apple Xsan Shared Storage
We deployed an Apple Xsan SAN (Storage Area Network) using:
- Promise Technologies VTrak E630fs fibre channel disk array
- Brocade E310 fibre channel switch
- SANLink2 Thunderbolt-to-Fibre adapters for each workstation
- Mac Mini server to manage metadata and authentication
This setup allowed each workstation to access shared storage as if the disks were locally attached—dramatically improving editing speed and workflow efficiency.
Backup and Archiving Upgrade
To resolve backup limitations, we introduced a Synology RackStation with:
- 12 x 4TB disks in a redundant array
- Hot spare disk for failover
- Built-in network port load balancing
This system replaced manual USB backups and expanded the client’s storage capacity significantly. The original Synology NAS was retained for server backups only.
What’s Next?
The client is currently operating four fibre-connected workstations, with plans to expand to six. Additional systems can access the SAN via traditional file sharing over the gigabit network when needed. With FTTP and Xsan in place, the business is now equipped to handle larger projects, tighter deadlines, and future growth.
