SNS Showcases v.2 of its EVO FC, 10GbE iSCSI SAN and NAS

Studio Network Solutions LLC, provider of post-production storage products for video and audio workgroups, showed at BVE 2010 Evo version 2, bringing new features and increased performance to its shared storage system. Evo v.2 is available immediately.

The Evo storage array, which offers Fibre Channel, 10Gb iSCSI SAN and NAS in one box, is shipping with a major upgrade of its OS to version 2.0. The new Evo is positioned to meet the needs of customers who want to upgrade their existing SAN, as well as customers who are looking for a new shared storage system.

Topping the list of enhancements, Evo v.2 can now be used with Xsan, metaSAN and other SAN sharing software.

The system is now available with or without SANmp sharing software. This makes Evo a more attractive, less expensive upgrade for customers who already have Xsan or other file sharing software. Customers who don’t yet have sharing software can also benefit from this new configuration, as Evo can now be ordered with free trial licenses of SANmp.

"Customers who already own Xsan, StorNext or metaSAN can simply integrate Evo into their existing shared network without buying additional software," stated Gary Holladay, President of SNS. "And new SAN customers can benefit immediately by delaying their purchase of sharing software – they can install Evo today and try SANmp absolutely free for up to two months, then purchase SANmp, Xsan or other software at a later time. Either way, the per-seat cost of SAN software is completely avoided, or at least deferred, which is most helpful at a time when everyone is closely watching costs."

Evo v.2 introduces core improvements, GUI enhancements and performance increases. Among the list of optimizations is a new and highly effective read-ahead engine, which allows each volume to be tuned specifically for various applications. For example, using Final Cut Pro, the base Evo, which includes eight SATA disks, supports uncompressed HD or up to 15 streams of DVCProHD playback. Pro Tools users also benefit from these optimizations – the eight disk base system alone supports multiple users doing the Pro Tools maximum number of audio tracks at any sample rate over Fibre Channel or Ethernet.

The new Evo v.2 base system includes Fibre Channel, iSCSI and NAS, eight SATA disks, four direct-connect Fibre Channel SAN ports, two Ethernet SAN/NAS ports (GbE) and the SNS globalSAN iSCSI initiator for OS X. Four full licenses or free timed licenses of SANmp v.3 volume sharing software for Mac/PC are also available. Up to six computers can attach directly into the base Evo using Fibre Channel and Ethernet without a switch.

The base Evo can expand to accommodate more storage capacity (up to 32 disks with an expansion chassis), additional users and increased performance. It offers Fibre Channel and Ethernet port upgrades for direct connection of up to ten computers without a switch. A 10Gb Ethernet option is also available for users who require maximum bandwidth.

Evo’s integration of SAN and NAS enables workstations and laptops to edit, share and review projects, media and other large files using the most appropriate connection type for the assigned task. The Evo shared storage system is compatible with Final Cut Pro, Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro, Pro Tools, and most similar applications for Mac and Windows. It is compatible with most popular Fibre Channel HBAs, as well as the SNS globalSAN and Microsoft iSCSI initiators.

Evo is versatile – among its list of advanced features it offers the ability to bridge existing Fibre Channel storage over iSCSI or NAS. Bridging offers customers the capability to re-purpose their older storage, such as an Xserve RAID, and extend it over long distances with Ethernet.

OS version 2.0 is a free upgrade to all Evo users and can be obtained by contacting SNS technical support.