DDP's SAN Storage over IP (iSCSI), is the latest generation of modern server, super fast and super easy to operate from Ardis Technologies.
To find out more about this new Server, Elvin Jasarevic, Technical Director for Ardis Technologies (Asia & Pacific), provides the details.
What is DDP?
Elvin: DDP or Dynamic Drive Pool is a shared storage where multiple users can access and share the same files across multiple platforms: Windows, Mac or Linux. And all users can write and read to and from the same drive without any restrictions and at the same time. With a wide range of products from Standalone series, models with SSD drives and up to Fully Redundant DDP models with no single point of failure, we are able to cover all markets from small video post-production houses to the large TV broadcasters and universities.
DDP 24D - Best selling standalone model with built in metadata controler
This produst sounds very similar to other NAS systems, so what is so special about DDP?
Elvin: There are many differences and the most obvious one is that DDP is IP SAN.
A DDP disk presents itself to the client as a local disk allowing the client to deal directly with the file system. Overhead on file transfers is far less with DDP, allowing files to be transferred faster and more efficiently than with the NAS SMB protocol, thus making DDP 3-4 times faster.
This is huge, but how is it possible that DDP is so much faster than an NAS system?
Elvin: This is due to efficiency of our File System (AVFS) and SCSI protocol over IP (iSCSI). We also have our own technology for MCS – (Multiple Connections per Session), where we can connect 2 x 1GbE cables, and support record or write up to 200MB/s, fast enough for HD 10-Bit uncompressed over 1GbE, so clients do not need to use 10GbE or Fibre Channel cards-lowering the cost to whole installation.
DDP is up to 4 times faster than NAS systems. This image shows 2 x 1GbE cable speed - fast enough for 10 but uncompressed HD video
Is this an indication that Fibre channel is on its way down?
Elvin: Most of our new clients used or still have Fibre channel systems. We provide simplicity of NAS systems, as we use the same Ethernet cat5/cat 6 cabling but, at the same time, we can sustain the bandwidth of the Fibre channel system. Being an Ethernet-based SAN and considering the much lower cost of infrastructure, for sure DDP is a winner and clients are more than happy with this choice.
You mentioned that DDP has its own file system - AVFS, what are its advantages in comparison to typical AFP, NFS or CIFS file systems?
Elvin: Every user, either on Mac, PC or Linux platform, can share the same data without worry of corrupting the files, and everything is real time all the time and, best of all, no set-ups are needed in order to share the Project Files. And this is all because AVFS and metadata controller are built in. One example is: Edit while Ingest can be done with Tools on Air or EVS, and editing can be done with Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro or Edius at the same time. A File edited by the junior editor can be further trimmed/composed by the senior editor who can send it to audio suite like ProTools or Fairlight and then further process it. Direct archive on DDP mirror storage is supported by SGL or other archive solutions.
What is the difference between Project Sharing and file sharing?
Elvin: All files, either graphic, audio or video files can be opened and shared on PC/Mac.
For example a video editor with his/her own project with bins, sequences and own video on Avid Media Composer, can open the same Projects on another PC or Mac and all files, which belongs to that Project, will also be opened. We have the same colour bin locking, red/green as found on Avid Isis and Unity, which gives visual indication if the editor has Read or Read/Write permissions. And best of all, because of the intelligent technology developed by DDP, no setup is needed in order for users to share the same projects. You know, it is very difficult to make complicated things simple, but this is what DDP have been doing best, to provide the excellent tools to the most creative minds.
Bandwidth limit is a very important feature of DDP. A typical usecase is when a high number of video tracks is needed and copying of files in background is permitted, but with lower priority in order to guarantee the playback.
How can DDP compete with companies which offer everything from Ingest server, MAM, and storage?
Elvin: We found that more end users wanted to have a choice of their own instead of being limited to using everything from one manufacturer.
DDP allows them exactly that with our storage technology that is built to work with any workflow, supports multiple platforms, offers ease of use, is extremely fast and scalable with guaranteed performance and, best of all, no licensing cost that makes the calculation of TCO so much easier.
Fully redundant DDP system successfully installed for DFFB in Berlin with certified bandwidth of 2.9 GB/s. Mirror DDP series system also deployed.
How long have you been in the Asian market and who are your recent customers?
Elvin: In Japan we are just over 2 years but in the rest of Asia it’s been around 1 year only. Some of our major clients includes: BBC, ITV, CNN, TV ASAHI, NHK, Yomiuri TV, Now TV, 2DF, ORF, WDR, ARRI Film, Honda, NASCAR, CineLab, CNBC, Univision, KNTV, Gearhouse Broadcast, NASA and many more. Our largest installation has over 1,400 users and currently we can build systems up to 4.2PT
Any last words?
Elvin: We would like to ask everyone who is looking for a storage system to give us a test at the DDP booth (4D5-03) at Broadcast Asia 2012 from June 19-22 and I assure them – they will not be disappointed.